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More babies in the United States are developing potentially life-threatening bleeding as increasing numbers of parents refuse a vitamin K injection routinely offered to newborns, according to new research.
Peer-reviewed studies published on November 5 in JAMA and JAMA Pediatrics both found a rise in vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) among infants.
"The data raise[s] concerns about increased parental rejection of vitamin K injections and potential harm to infants," says the JAMA Pediatrics study.
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Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting, but babies are naturally born with low levels of the nutrient. Without sufficient amounts, they can develop serious internal bleeding, including in the brain.
The research is the first to examine rising infant bleeding cases alongside increasing refusals of vitamin K shots over the past decade.
Newsweek contacted the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) via email on Wednesday for comment.
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What Is the Vitamin K Shot And How Is It Given?
The vitamin K shot is an injection given to newborns shortly after birth to help their blood clot properly.
Vitamin K occurs naturally in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli, as well as vegetable oils, eggs, meat and fermented foods
But little passes from mother to child through the placenta during pregnancy. Breast milk also contains relatively small amounts, leaving newborns vulnerable to vitamin K deficiency.
The AAP has recommended the injection for all newborns since 1961.
It is usually administered as a single injection into the baby's thigh within six hours of birth. The shot provides protection during the first months of life, when babies are most vulnerable to VKDB.
Importantly, the injection is a vitamin supplement, not a vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies it as the most effective way to prevent VKDB.
The two studies published November 5 examined the relationship between declining vitamin K injections and rising bleeding cases.
How Many Babies Are Being Affected?
One study by researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University analyzed medical records for more than 11 million U.S. infants between 2017 and 2025. It found that diagnoses of vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) increased by 347.1 percent over the period.
Meanwhile, the proportion of newborns receiving the vitamin K injection fell from 97.7 percent in 2017 to 95 percent in 2025.
A separate study, led by Kristan Scott of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, analyzing more than 5.2 million infants, found that the proportion of newborns who did not receive the vitamin K shot more than doubled, rising from 3.1 percent in 2017 to 6.8 percent in 2025.
Babies who did not receive the injection had a 47 percent higher adjusted risk of bleeding during their first six months than those who received it. They also had more than twice the risk of intracranial bleeding.
Researchers estimated that one additional bleeding event would occur for every 114 newborns who did not receive the injection.
Why Are Parents Refusing Vitamin K Injections?
Despite decades of routine use, more parents are choosing to decline the injection.
Some have concerns about ingredients, including preservatives, while others distrust medical interventions or mistakenly believe the vitamin K shot is a vaccine.
Misinformation circulating on social media has also contributed to concerns about its safety.
However, medical organizations say the injection has a strong safety record and is essential for preventing potentially fatal bleeding.
Scott et al.'s study found that: "Parental concerns and characteristics likely influence rates of vitamin K nonreceipt. Among parents refusing newborn vitamin K, studies have identified concerns of disutility, injection-related pain, toxicity of ingredients, allergic reaction, risk of cancer, and a desire for "natural" alternatives for newborn vitamin K refusal."
In July, two members of Congress, Sen. Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), a pediatrician, called on the CDC to start tracking refusals and related deaths and make the data public following a ProPublica investigation that found some babies had died after their parents declined vitamin K injections.
The research published last week highlights the consequences of declining uptake, including vitamin K deficiency bleeding.
What Is Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding?
Vitamin K deficiency bleeding occurs when a baby does not have enough of the nutrient to produce the clotting factors needed to stop bleeding, according to the CDC.
It can develop during three stages:
- Early VKDB: Occurs within the first 24 hours after birth and is often associated with medications taken by the mother during pregnancy.
- Classical VKDB: Develops between two days and one week after birth. Symptoms include bruising and bleeding from the umbilical cord.
- Late VKDB: Occurs between one week and six months of age, most commonly between two and eight weeks.
Late-onset VKDB is particularly dangerous because it can cause bleeding inside the brain. Symptoms can include unexplained bruising, nosebleeds, pale skin, jaundice, irritability and feeding difficulties.
However, some babies show no warning signs before experiencing serious internal bleeding.
Complications can include brain damage, seizures, surgery and death. The CDC estimates that one in five babies who develop VKDB dies.
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How Can Parents Get a Vitamin K Shot If Their Baby Missed It?
Parents who declined the injection at birth, or are unsure whether their baby received it, should contact their doctor as soon as possible.
They can first check the baby's hospital or birth records to establish whether the injection was administered. If it was missed, a healthcare professional can assess the baby's age and medical history and advise on whether an injection is appropriate.
U.S. health authorities recommend giving vitamin K shortly after birth and do not specify a standard catch-up schedule for babies who miss the injection.
Parents whose babies have already been discharged should contact their pediatrician promptly for advice on whether and how it can be administered later. They should not assume it is too late to seek advice simply because their baby has already left the hospital.
There is no standard national price in the U.S. for the shot. The cost may be included in hospital newborn-care charges or billed separately, so parents should check with their healthcare provider and insurer about potential out-of-pocket expenses.
Oral vitamin K is not considered an equivalent alternative in the U.S. It requires multiple doses and does not provide the same reliable protection against late-onset bleeding as the injection.
If a baby develops unexplained bruising, bleeding, unusual paleness or other concerning symptoms, parents should seek urgent medical attention. Suspected internal bleeding requires emergency care.
References
Wolf ER, French E, Shokouhi Niaki D, Woolf SH. Vitamin K Deficiency and Associated Bleeding in Infants. JAMA Pediatrics. Published online November 5, 2026. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2026.5794
Scott K, Handley SC, Lo JY, et al. Nonreceipt of Newborn Vitamin K and Risk of Bleeding. JAMA. Published online November 5, 2026. doi:10.1001/jama.2026.21764.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Trevor Davies
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