More parents decline newborn vitamin K, raising bleeding risk
Written by AI from healthychildren.org's report. Not checked by a person.
Several outlets report infant bleeding is rising as more parents refuse the newborn vitamin K shot.
Reports on 5-7 November 2026 highlighted that more parents in the US are declining the vitamin K injection for newborns, and that cases of dangerous infant bleeding have risen as a result. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a single 1 mg intramuscular dose within six hours of birth for newborns over 1,500 grams, because newborns have low vitamin K levels and can suffer bleeding in the brain or gut. Doctors say vitamin K deficiency bleeding is now rare except among babies who do not receive the shot. Pediatricians are urging parents to accept the injection and are addressing misinformation about it.
