
What is vitamin K?
It occurs naturally in food, especially green vegetables and olive oil.

Why do we need vitamin K?
Why does my baby need extra vitamin K?

What is Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB)?
A small number of babies, about one in 10,000 develop a rare but serious disorder called ‘vitamin K deficiency bleeding’ (VKDB).
Vitamin K deficiency bleeding, or VKDB, occurs when babies cannot stop bleeding because their blood does not have enough vitamin K to form a clot. The bleeding can occur anywhere on the inside or outside of the body. When the bleeding occurs inside the body, it can be difficult to notice. Commonly, a baby with VKDB will have bleeding into their intestines, or into their brain, which can lead to brain damage and even death.
There are three types of VKDB
Type of VKDB | When it occurs | Characteristics |
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Early onset | Within 24 hours after birth | Mainly found in babies whose mothers used certain medications such as medicines to treat epilepsy, blood clotting and tuberculosis. These can interfere with how the body uses vitamin K. |
Classical | 2 days – 1 week after birth |
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Late Onset | 1 week – 6 months after birth (Commonly 2-8 weeks after birth) |
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Signs and symptoms of VKDB



Skin colour that is paler than before. For babies with a darker complexion, the gums may appear pale.

Prolonged jaundice (after two weeks of age).


Which babies are more at risk from VKDB?
- Babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks)
- Babies whose mothers have been taking certain medications for epilepsy, blood clots or tuberculosis
- Babies born with the help of forceps or ventouse
- Babies with liver disease (which may look like jaundice lasting more than two weeks)
- Babies who don’t feed or find it hard to absorb feeds
- Babies who are ill in the early days
- Some babies who do not fall into any of the high-risk groups above will develop VKDB. The Department of Health recommends that all newborn babies are given a vitamin K supplement at birth to help protect against this condition.

What are the risks of vitamin K for my baby?
How is vitamin K given to my baby?

By injection
Due to the higher risks of bleeding and the potentially serious consequences, we recommend vitamin K by injection to all babies who are born prematurely, or who are identified to be at increased risk of VKBD.

By mouth
For babies who are exclusively breastfed, it is recommended that a third dose is given at one month.
Breastfeeding and VKDB
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first four to six months gives your baby the best chance of avoiding allergies in later life. Babies who are breastfed for the first three months of life continue to have lower rates of infection in the first year of life.
The only reason that breastfed babies are at greater risk of vitamin K deficiency is that vitamin K is added to artificial milk. Artificial milk cannot match the benefits and advantages of breast milk. It is not advised to give artificial milk because of the added vitamin K.

Does my baby have to have vitamin K?

Explanation Point
Term | Description |
---|---|
Vitamins | Vitamins are substances our bodies need, which we get from either the foods we eat or from a multivitamin. Vitamins are normally stored in the body. A person without enough of a vitamin or vitamins stored in the body is ‘vitamin deficient’ or has a ‘vitamin deficiency’. |