Vitamin K Rejection Linked to Increased Infant Hemorrhage and Death
Rising refusal rates for newborn vitamin K injections have coincided with a sharp increase in life-threatening infant hemorrhages across the United States between 2017 and 2025, according to a study published in JAMA.
- Newborns who skipped the preventive injection faced more than double the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and death during initial hospitalization.
- National refusal rates climbed from 3.1% in 2017 to 6.8% in 2025, according to hospital registry data.
- Pediatric experts note that the elevated bleeding risk persisted through the first six months of life for infants who missed the prophylaxis.
Infants born without the injection faced an elevated risk of hemorrhage during their first six months of life, per the JAMA study analyzing more than 5 million births. A separate analysis of more than 11 million infants led by Dr. Elizabeth Wolf revealed that vitamin K deficiency cases tripled, rising 216 percent, while bleeding episodes quadrupled, rising 347 percent over the same period, as reported by ConSalud.
The study drawing on hospital registry data from the Cosmos database tracked over 5 million newborns from 2017 to 2025, funded through a grant by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. An exclusive Reuters analysis by the health data and analytics company Truveta showed refusals accelerated sharply in the first half of 2026, jumping over 57 percent between January and June.
Babies are born with minimal reserves of the nutrient because the placenta barely transmits it, newborn intestines absorb it poorly, and breast milk contains minimal amounts, according to ConSalud. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended the injection since 1961, and it is usually administered within the first six hours after birth.
“It is understandable to want a natural birth and avoid excessive medicalization,” said Dr. Heather Burris, a neonatologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, told Medscape.
Researchers observed that about 81 percent of infants presenting with hemorrhages had not received the injection, according to ConSalud.
“The rejection of vitamin K has real consequences, such as hemorrhages, and some of these episodes can lead to a stroke,” said Dr. Elizabeth Wolf, a pediatrician at VCU Health in Richmond, Virginia, told Medscape.
Reuters reported: “Al igual que en los recientes brotes de sarampión, estamos viendo las consecuencias en la vida real de la creciente desconfianza hacia los médicos y los profesionales de la salud pública.”
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.
Earlier coverage: Newborn Vitamin K Shot Refusal Linked to Surge in Life-Threatening Bleeding Rates