A new study is raising alarms about the vitamin K shot for newborns. Diagnoses of vitamin K-deficient bleeding among U.S. infants rose about 347% between 2017 and 2025, according to research published in JAMA Pediatrics, while the share of newborns recorded as getting the shot slipped.
If you’re expecting a baby or have a newborn at home, here’s what the study found, what vitamin K does, and the questions worth asking before delivery day.
What the Vitamin K Shot Study Found
Researchers analyzed electronic health records from health systems that use the Epic records platform. As reported by The National News Desk, the study included more than 11 million infants ages 6 months and younger who were born at 35 weeks’ gestation or later.
| Measure | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin K-deficient bleeding (per 100,000 infants) | 24 | 107.4 | About +347% |
| Newborns recorded as getting injectable vitamin K | 97.7% | 95% | -2.7 points |
| Vitamin K deficiency diagnoses | — | — | About +216% |
The most worrying detail: among infants diagnosed with vitamin K-deficient bleeding during the study period, 123 babies, about 2.4%, also had a recorded diagnosis of bleeding in or around the brain. That kind of bleeding can cause serious or lasting harm.
You can find the full paper on the JAMA Pediatrics website.
What Is Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding?
Vitamin K helps blood clot. Babies are born with naturally low levels of it, and breast milk contains only small amounts. Without enough vitamin K, a baby’s blood may not clot properly, which can lead to bleeding that’s hard to stop.
Doctors call this vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). “Late” VKDB can appear weeks after birth, sometimes with few warning signs, and it’s the form most linked to bleeding in the brain.
Why newborns get a shot at birth
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended a single vitamin K shot after birth since 1961. According to prior research cited in the news report, the shot reduces late vitamin K-deficient bleeding by 98%. It’s a one-time injection, usually given within hours of delivery.
Does Skipping the Vitamin K Shot Explain the Rise?
Not definitively. The researchers said the findings raise concern as the shots become less common, but the study does not prove that declining use caused the increase. They also noted important limits:
- Health records may include miscoded or incomplete information.
- The data covers infants treated in Epic-connected health systems, not every U.S. birth.
Changes in how often doctors test for and record the condition could also play a part, which is one reason a records study can’t settle the question on its own.
Still, the authors said other factors that can contribute to vitamin K deficiency did not appear to explain the trend. And even a small drop in coverage, from 97.7% to 95%, means roughly 2 to 3 more babies out of every 100 leave the hospital without the shot.
The authors suggested that if refusals of the shot keep rising, offering oral vitamin K as a second-line option could be considered, while noting that oral vitamin K may be less effective at preventing late bleeding.
What Parents Can Do Now
- Talk about it before delivery. Add vitamin K to your birth-plan conversation with your OB, midwife or pediatrician so you’re not deciding in the moment.
- Ask your questions directly. If you have concerns about the shot, ask your baby’s doctor to explain the benefits and risks. Good pediatricians welcome the conversation.
- Know the warning signs. Call your pediatrician right away about unusual bruising, bleeding from the umbilical stump or nose, blood in stool or vomit, or a baby who seems unusually sleepy, fussy or is vomiting repeatedly.
- If you declined the shot, tell every doctor who sees your baby in the first months so they can watch for symptoms and discuss options.
- Keep the records. Make sure your baby’s discharge paperwork confirms whether vitamin K was given.
The Bottom Line for Families
The vitamin K shot is one of the oldest and simplest protections offered to newborns, and the new data suggest that even small drops in coverage may matter. Understanding why it’s given helps you make a confident, informed choice for your baby.
For more newborn and child health guidance, see our age-by-age guide to flu, COVID and RSV vaccines for kids and our explainer on what infants need for RSV season.
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Talk with your pediatrician about your baby’s care.
Stay with USA One News for more research that helps you protect your kids.
