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  4. Newborn Vitamin K Injection

Newborn Vitamin K Injection

In Canada, Vitamin K is routinely given to all newborns. Your baby will receive a supplemental Vitamin K injection given with a needle within the first few hours after birth.

Newborn Vitamin K Injection

A healthcare provider will discuss the Vitamin K injection with you and your family to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a rare but serious condition. This condition was formally called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. This condition can cause bleeding anywhere in the newborn’s body, including major organs like the brain.

Vitamin K is an important nutrient the body needs for blood clotting and to stop bleeding - VKDB. Your baby is born with very little vitamin K in their body. Older children and adults make most of the needed vitamin K from bacteria in their gut. When your baby is born their gut does not contain this needed bacteria until they start eating regular foods between 4 – 6 months. At birth, they are not able to make enough vitamin K for their body’s needs and are at a higher risk of bleeding.

Your baby will get small amounts of vitamin K through breastmilk and formula but it is not enough to promote clotting and prevent bleeding.

After birth, Vitamin K is given one time with an injection in your baby’s leg muscle. It is recommended that all babies receive a vitamin K injection at birth to help prevent any serious bleeding.

Sources of Medical Information

Canadian Paediaric Society

American Academy of Pediatrics

Center for Disease Control Protect Your Baby From Bleeds

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    • Pediatric Out-of-Province Travel Assistance Program
  • Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital
    • Inside Our Hospital
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      • Day Medicine
      • Family & Play Spaces
      • Family Theatre
      • JPCH Children’s Therapies
      • Maternal Care Centre
      • Maternal Outpatient Clinic
      • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at JPCH
      • Pediatric Inpatient Unit
      • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
      • Pediatric Outpatient Clinic
      • Pediatric Surgery & Recovery
      • School Room
      • Sleep Lab
      • Special Procedure Room/Catheterization Lab
      • Teammates for Kids Child Life Zone
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    • Contact Jim Pattison Children's Hospital
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      • Cypress Regional Hospital
      • Melfort Hospital
      • St Joseph's Hospital
      • Meadow Lake Hospital
      • La Ronge Health Centre
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      • Nipawin Hospital
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