Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that helps with blood clotting. Babies are born with low levels of vitamin K, and so you will be offered a vitamin K supplement for them at birth. These low levels of vitamin K can rarely lead to Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), where babies start bleeding heavily into their brain or abdomen, often with no or little trauma. This can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Vitamin K can be supplemented in two ways – as an intramuscular injection soon after birth, or as an oral dose three times – once at birth, once at one week, and once at discharge.
Babies of people who are on anti-epileptic, anti-tuberculosis, or anti-clotting medications are at higher risk of VKDB, and are particularly recommended to have a vitamin K injection.
Like all interventions for you and your pēpi, it is your choice whether you give vitamin K, and how you give it. If you choose not to give it, there are some signs of bleeding to be aware of and keep an eye out for:
- bruising easily or new bruises appearing, especially on the head, face or belly
- bleeding from the nose, umbilical cord, or belly button
- irritability, bloody vomit, pale skin or gums, or bloodstained or black tarry poos after the first few days – these can be a sign of internal bleeding
- prolonged jaundice
If your baby develops any of these, please call your midwife or doctor straight away.