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.