Why Does My Newborn Need a Vitamin K Shot at birth in Hospital?

There's a lot going on when your baby is first born. They're weighed and measured. Their noses are suctioned out and their vital signs are tested. They may have ointment or drops put in their eyes. They get a complete checkup by your pediatrician.

Most newborns get their first hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital. They also routinely get a vitamin K shot.

What does vitamin K do?

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps our bodies make blood clots. We need blot clots to stop bleeding. Vitamin K is important for keeping bones healthy too.

Adults and older children get vitamin K from food such as green, leafy vegetables, meat, dairy and eggs. The healthy bacteria in our intestines, which make up our microbiome, also produce some vitamin K.

Babies, though, have very little vitamin K in their bodies at birth. This puts them at risk for dangerous bleeding problems. Fortunately, it's easy to prevent VKDB with a vitamin K shot. The injection is given in your baby's thigh within 6 hours of birth.

One shot is all it takes to protect your baby from getting vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). This is why, as pediatricians, we have recommended since 1961 that all newborns get a vitamin K shot at birth.

This content is from AAP. Link to the detailed content.

Remember

It's easy and safe to prevent VKDB with a vitamin K shot at birth at the hospital itself.

For pre-natal discussion and routine hospital care of baby at birth, you can make an appointment to discuss concerns with our pediatric providers. https://www.meelpediatrics.com/