"So vitamin K is incredibly important, like I said, for the process of stopping bleeds. Newborns are born with very low levels of vitamin K. It doesn't transfer over from the placenta very well," said Dr. Natalie Pardo, a pediatric resident at Valley Children's Healthcare.
Vitamin K works with blood to help form clots. Pediatricians at the hospital say the vitamin K shot is one of the simplest ways to prevent severe and potentially life-threatening bleeding in newborns.
"Without vitamin K, you have an increased risk of bleeding, and that is called vitamin K deficiency bleeding," Pardo said.
Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding can occur days, weeks or even months after birth.
Because of that risk, Valley Children's recommends the vitamin K shot within the first few hours of life.
"It's quick, effective and starts taking effect immediately," Pardo said.
Pardo emphasized that the vitamin K shot is not a vaccine but a vitamin.
According to the National Institute of Health, more parents in the United States are declining the vitamin K shot for their newborns, with refusals rising by more than 77% between 2017 and 2024.
"Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation circulating online about vitamin K as well as other vaccines. What's important for parents to know is that vitamin K is completely healthy and safe for babies to receive on that first day of life," Pardo said.
Pardo encouraged new parents with questions or concerns about preventive care to talk directly with their doctor before or shortly after delivery.
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