Why vit k at birth

A study in the early s suggested a link between the vitamin K shot and childhood cancer. Many studies since then have found no connection between vitamin K and cancer. But that misinformation is still readily available online. As a result, some families are delaying or skipping the shot, or looking for other ways for their infants to receive vitamin K.

Some European countries let families choose an oral form of vitamin K. But this is far less effective than the shot at preventing bleeding, especially in the brain.

Oral vitamin K is not available for newborns in the United States. This bleeding is called haemorrhagic disease of the newborn HDN. For more than 20 years, all newborn babies have been given vitamin K at birth, by injection. This has been found to be very safe, and HDN was not seen in Australian babies.

However, although the program was in place to give the injections, most parents did not get any information about the injection and why it was given. When some concern about its safety was published in an international journal, there was a considerable outcry - not so much about its safety it was quickly shown to be both safe and effective , but about the fact that parents were not given information about the need for the injection, or given the opportunity to make an informed decision about an injection given to their baby.

For a short time, when concerns were first raised about the safety of vitamin K injections, parents were given information to make an informed decision and they were offered the opportunity to have their babies given vitamin K by drops, rather than injection.

Two doses of drops were needed for all babies one at birth and one 3 to 5 days later , and another in the fourth week, if the baby was breastfed. During the time that many babies were getting vitamin K by drops, several babies in Australia had severe episodes of bleeding, which were probably due to HDN.

It seemed very clear that getting vitamin K by one injection is safer and more effective than by three sets of drops. Parents do not have to allow their baby to have a vitamin K injection, but it is very strongly recommended that they do give permission for it.

Vitamin K injections have been routinely given in Australia for over 20 years, with no ill effects at the time of the injection, or later. Some babies have a slight soreness for a day or so at the injection site. Vitamin K injections remain the best preventive measure for reducing the risk of haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. The Victorian Child Health Record is given free of charge to parents after the birth of their baby. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

In Victoria, you can have two types of abortion: surgical and medication. Both types are safe and reliable. You can have a medication abortion up to nine weeks of pregnancy. You can have a surgical abortion from around six weeks of pregnancy onwards. This includes babies who are premature, very small or sick, as well as babies having surgery.

Research and practice shows that giving Vitamin K by injection at birth is safe and effective. Research and practice shows that giving vitamin K by injection at birth is safe and effective. Babies in New Zealand, and in many other countries, have been given vitamin K injections for many years without problems. Having the injection does not cause any health problems but some babies have a slight swelling or soreness at the site of the injection for a day or two.

One study in the early s suggested that injections of vitamin K might be linked to one type of childhood cancer. Later research has proven that vitamin K is not associated with any kind of childhood cancer, whether it is given by mouth or by injection. It is your choice whether or not your baby receives vitamin K and whether it is given by injection or by mouth.

Giving vitamin K by injection provides the best protection for your baby. Giving vitamin K by mouth orally does not provide as much protection for your baby and they will need to have 2 more doses over a period of weeks. Not giving vitamin K at all means that your baby is at risk of getting a severe, preventable health problem and you should watch closely for any warning signs of bleeding.

If you decide against your baby having vitamin K, make sure to watch very carefully for symptoms of VKDB vitamin K deficiency bleeding. Always see your doctor urgently if your baby has any of the following warning signs:. Vitamin K for newborn babies: Information for parents. This page last reviewed 05 May Do you have any feedback for KidsHealth? If you have any feedback about the KidsHealth website, or have a suggestion for new content, please get in touch with us.

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