What is Vitamin K?
Vitamin K is a vitamin which occurs naturally in food such as green leafy vegetables, some oils such as olive oil and is made by bacteria in our large intestine. Vitamin K is required for the blood to clot properly preventing abnormal bleeding.
Why is it important for your new-born baby?
New-born babies have low levels of Vitamin K in their blood and this puts them at risk of a rare but potentially life threatening condition called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). This risk of bleeding is effectively removed when sufficient extra vitamin K is given your baby.
What are the risks of Vitamin K deficiency bleeding?
VKDB is a disorder which occurs almost exclusively in babies who are not given vitamin K at birth. Bleeding may occur at any time for several weeks after birth. Babies may bleed from their nose, mouth, umbilical stump, skin (as bruises) or into the brain.
Bleeding because of a vitamin K deficiency only occurs in a very small number of babies; approximately one in every 10,000. The impact of VKDB can be mild, or in rare cases (seven in 100 babies with VKDB) can lead to death. Approximately 30 out of 100 of babies with VKDB are left with a mental impairment because of bleeding to the brain. This risk is virtually eliminated when your baby is given a vitamin K supplement in sufficient amounts.
Which babies are most at risk?
- babies born prematurely
- babies who had a complicated delivery e.g. LSCS, forceps or ventouse delivery
- babies requiring surgery
- babies who are ill for other reasons
- babies of mothers taking certain drugs, particularly some anti-convulsants
- babies who fail to take or find it hard to absorb feeds
- babies having bleeding or spontaneous bruising in early infancy
- babies with liver disease, this may present as prolonged jaundice, pale stools or dark urine
- babies who are entirely breastfed are more likely to develop VKDB compared to babies that are bottle-fed. This is because manufacturers add vitamin K to formula milk.
However, although formula milk contains higher levels of vitamin K than breastmilk, this is not a reason to bottle feed your baby. Breastfeeding is always the best choice for your baby.
Could Vitamin K be harmful?
Concerns about a possible link between the use of injected vitamin K and childhood cancer were raised by a study in the early 1990s. Several large studies have examined this issue. A review of data from the UK Children's Cancer Study Group in 20031 found no evidence that neonatal vitamin K administration, irrespective of route, influences the risk of children developing leukaemia or any other cancer.
How is the vitamin K given?
The best method of giving your baby vitamin K is an injection soon after the birth. The injection is given by a midwife into the muscle of your baby's thigh and a single dose of vitamin K is enough. This provides the most reliable and long-lasting protection.
If you do not want your baby to have the injection, vitamin K can be given by mouth, unless your baby cannot accept feeds by mouth. If given by mouth, additional doses are needed on day seven and day 28 (for breastfed babies). If you are bottle-feeding your baby formula milk, they will only need the first two doses, as vitamin K is added to all formula milk.
What are the latest recommendations on vitamin K?
The Department of Health and Social Care continues to recommend that all babies should receive vitamin K at birth.
What happens if I decide that my baby should not receive vitamin K?
In these circumstances the risk of bleeding is increased and you should be aware of the warning signs of vitamin K deficiency bleeding and seek medical advice immediately.
Many babies who suffer bleeding in the brain have had prior minor bleeds from the skin, nose or mouth. You should seek advice urgently if your baby has any minor bleeds or bruising in the first six months.
If you have any questions or concerns relating to vitamin K, please do not hesitate to discuss it with your midwife or doctor.