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Healthy Baby Happy Parents
Vitamin K
What is it?
Vitamin K is known as the clotting vitamin. The body needs vitamin K to make certain proteins in the liver that cause blood to clot. These proteins are called clotting factors. Without vitamin K, the liver could not produce clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X, and blood would not clot.
Why is it given to Newborns?
Babies aren't born with enough of this important vitamin, which is needed for blood to clot normally. Babies who don't get vitamin K at birth are at risk for a potentially fatal bleeding disorder called vitamin K deficient bleeding (VKDB). VKDB can cause bruising or bleeding in nearly every organ of the body.
More info: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146284/
Can I refuse it?
Yes, but it is not wise. The risk of Vitamin K deficient bleeding (VKDB) is 81 times higher in newborns whose parents refuse the medication. In one study, of 1486 infants with VKDB in the absence of prophylaxis, there were 305 deaths (20.5%) and 146 infants (9.8%) had significant neurologic sequelae (hemiparesis, seizures, or developmental delay).
Due to risk of infant death or neurologic problems for refusal, you will be required to sign a Refusal Form that you understand the consequences of not giving Vitamin K to your baby.