Do All New-borns Need a
Vitamin K Shot?

Why Do Babies Lack Vitamin K at Birth?

Babies have low vitamin K levels for a few reasons:

• Only very small amounts of vitamin K pass from mother to baby during pregnancy.
• New-borns lack the healthy intestinal bacteria that produces vitamin K.
• Breast milk contains very little vitamin K, which also keeps levels low in nursing new-borns.

Babies will experience vitamin K deficiencies until about four to six months, which is when most begin eating solid foods. The development of healthy gut bacteria also boosts levels.

How is Vitamin K Given?

Vitamin K is administered with one shot, typically into the baby’s leg muscle. This single shot is reliable protection against the possible effects of a vitamin K deficiency.

Doctors can also provide vitamin K via oral drops, but this method is usually less effective. The body absorbs oral drops at a much slower pace. Additionally, infants will need three separate doses of the drops. The first occurs at the time of birth, the second about three to five days after birth, and the third is given at four weeks.

Can You Wait to See If Your Baby Needs a Vitamin K Shot?

Some parents have concerns about the vitamin K shot, as it can cause a minor amount of discomfort to new-borns. However, waiting to see if your baby develops the issues described above puts them at great risk. All babies have low vitamin K levels after they’re born. As a result, all babies can fall victim to the effects of a vitamin K deficiency, so a vitamin K shot is the best defence against potential ill-effects.

What Is Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding?

Lack of vitamin K leads to a condition called vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), which can occur at three separate stages:

• Immediate Onset – Immediate onset deficiency usually appears within the first 24 hours of a baby’s life. This condition often occurs when the mother is taking certain medications, such as blood thinners or anti-seizure drugs.
• Classical – Classical onset can occur two days to two weeks after birth. Immediate and classical onset VKDB are the most common forms of the condition.
• Late Onset – Late onset occurs one week to six months after birth. However, it’s most common two to eight weeks after birth. Late onset is very rare and primarily affects new-borns who’ve not received a vitamin K shot.

It’s estimated that infants who do not receive a vitamin K shot at birth are 81 times more likely to experience late onset VKDB when compared to infants who do receive the shot.

Signs of VKDB

In many cases, VKDB provides no warning signs. However, some babies may exhibit the following:

• Bruising around the face and head
• Episodic bleeding from the nose or umbilical cord
• Pale skin and gums
• Yellowing of the eyes (usually three weeks after birth)
• Black or bloody stool
• Blood in vomit
• Excessive sleepiness
• Irritability