Rachel V Thomas

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Infant Bleeding Episodes In US Rise As Vitamin K Refusals Double: Why The Shot Matters In Newborns

Life-threatening bleeding episodes among US infants have risen sharply as more parents refuse the routine <span>vitamin K</span> shot given at birth, two new studies have found.

Published in JAMA and JAMA Pediatrics, the studies found that the proportion of newborns who missed the vitamin K shot more than doubled between 2017 and 2025, reaching 6.8%. These infants were also more likely to experience bleeding, including bleeding in the brain.

Although the studies do not establish causation, the parallel rise in refusals and bleeding episodes is significant, said Dr Steven Woolf, an epidemiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University and lead author of the JAMA Pediatrics study, as reported by NBC News.

"Now we're stepping away from that, and we're seeing the consequences," Woolf said.

Vitamin K shots have been standard newborn care since 1961 and help prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Infant Bleeding Episodes Nearly Quadrupled</span> Since 2017</h2>

Woolf and colleagues analysed medical records of more than 11 million infants aged six months and younger between 2017 and 2025.

During this period, the proportion of newborns receiving a vitamin K shot fell from 97.7% to 95%, while vitamin K deficiency bleeding nearly quadrupled.

The researchers identified 5,217 bleeding events during the study period. The rate in 2025 was approximately double that in 2024, Woolf said.

The researchers noted that the increase coincided with declining public trust following the COVID-19 pandemic, growing vaccine hesitancy and parental scepticism about routine newborn interventions.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Vitamin K Refusals</span> More Than Double To 6.8%</h2>

A separate JAMA study by Dr Kristan Scott and colleagues analysed medical records of more than 5.2 million US infants born between 2017 and 2025.

The proportion of newborns who missed the vitamin K shot rose from 3.1% in 2017 to 6.8% in 2025. It had reached 5.1% by the end of 2024.

The study also found that infants who did not receive the shot had:

<ul><li>A 47% higher risk of bleeding during their first six months.</li><li>More than twice the risk of bleeding in the brain.</li><li>More than twice the risk of death associated with a bleeding diagnosis during their birth hospitalisation.</li></ul>

The authors estimated that one additional bleeding event would occur for every 114 newborns who missed the vitamin K shot.

Separately, an analysis of more than one million births by health data company Truveta for Reuters found that vitamin K refusals increased by more than 57% between January and June 2026.

<h2>Why Is Vitamin K Important For Newborns?</h2>

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient essential for blood clotting and bone health. Newborns naturally have low levels, leaving them vulnerable to VKDB.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended a vitamin K injection for all newborns since 1961.

Without adequate vitamin K, babies can develop spontaneous bleeding, including severe internal bleeding and bleeding in the brain. These episodes can cause permanent brain damage or death.

Importantly, the vitamin K shot is not a vaccine. It is a one-time injection given shortly after birth to protect babies against VKDB.

Breast milk contains relatively little vitamin K. Exclusively breastfed babies who miss the birth injection therefore remain vulnerable to deficiency bleeding.

The researchers also found increased use of oral vitamin K. However, oral doses are less effective than intramuscular injections, particularly in preventing late-onset VKDB, which can occur weeks or months after birth.

<h2>Why Are More Parents Refusing Vitamin K Shots?</h2>

Vitamin K refusals have risen since the COVID-19 pandemic amid growing parental concerns about vaccines and routine newborn interventions.

Health experts have also raised concerns about declining trust in health authorities and mixed messages surrounding preventive care.

Refusals have accelerated under US Health Secretary <span>Robert F Kennedy Jr</span>, who has questioned vaccine safety and overseen changes to federal childhood vaccination recommendations.

A US Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend vitamin K shots for newborns. However, the department did not say whether the agency would begin tracking refusals or associated bleeding episodes.

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Life-threatening bleeding episodes among US infants have risen sharply as more parents refuse the routine vitamin K shot given at birth, two new studies have found.Published in JAMA and JAMA Pediatrics, the studies found that the proportion of newborns who missed the vitamin K shot more than doubled between 2017 and 2025, reaching 6.8%. These infants were also more likely to experience bleeding, including bleeding in the brain.Although the studies do not establish causation, the parallel rise in refusals and bleeding episodes is significant, said Dr Steven Woolf, an epidemiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University and lead author of the JAMA Pediatrics study, as reported by NBC News."Now we're stepping away from that, and we're seeing the consequences," Woolf said.Vitamin K shots have been standard newborn care since 1961 and help prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition.Infant Bleeding Episodes Nearly Quadrupled Since 2017Woolf and colleagues analysed medical records of more than 11 million infants aged six months and younger between 2017 and 2025.During this period, the proportion of newborns receiving a vitamin K shot fell from 97.7% to 95%, while vitamin K deficiency bleeding nearly quadrupled.The researchers identified 5,217 bleeding events during the study period. The rate in 2025 was approximately double that in 2024, Woolf said.The researchers noted that the increase coincided with declining public trust following the COVID-19 pandemic, growing vaccine hesitancy and parental scepticism about routine newborn interventions.Vitamin K Refusals More Than Double To 6.8%A separate JAMA study by Dr Kristan Scott and colleagues analysed medical records of more than 5.2 million US infants born between 2017 and 2025.The proportion of newborns who missed the vitamin K shot rose from 3.1% in 2017 to 6.8% in 2025. It had reached 5.1% by the end of 2024.The study also found that infants who did not receive the shot had:A 47% higher risk of bleeding during their first six months.More than twice the risk of bleeding in the brain.More than twice the risk of death associated with a bleeding diagnosis during their birth hospitalisation.The authors estimated that one additional bleeding event would occur for every 114 newborns who missed the vitamin K shot.Separately, an analysis of more than one million births by health data company Truveta for Reuters found that vitamin K refusals increased by more than 57% between January and June 2026.Why Is Vitamin K Important For Newborns?Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient essential for blood clotting and bone health. Newborns naturally have low levels, leaving them vulnerable to VKDB.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended a vitamin K injection for all newborns since 1961.Without adequate vitamin K, babies can develop spontaneous bleeding, including severe internal bleeding and bleeding in the brain. These episodes can cause permanent brain damage or death.Importantly, the vitamin K shot is not a vaccine. It is a one-time injection given shortly after birth to protect babies against VKDB.Breast milk contains relatively little vitamin K. Exclusively breastfed babies who miss the birth injection therefore remain vulnerable to deficiency bleeding.The researchers also found increased use of oral vitamin K. However, oral doses are less effective than intramuscular injections, particularly in preventing late-onset VKDB, which can occur weeks or months after birth.Why Are More Parents Refusing Vitamin K Shots?Vitamin K refusals have risen since the COVID-19 pandemic amid growing parental concerns about vaccines and routine newborn interventions.Health experts have also raised concerns about declining trust in health authorities and mixed messages surrounding preventive care.Refusals have accelerated under US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has questioned vaccine safety and overseen changes to federal childhood vaccination recommendations.A US Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend vitamin K shots for newborns. However, the department did not say whether the agency would begin tracking refusals or associated bleeding episodes.

infant bleeding episodes in us rise as vitamin k refusals double: why the shot matters in newborns

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