Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB)
Condition where babies with low levels of Vitamin K start bleeding without warning
Overview
Vitamin K is a vitamin that is needed for blood to clot. Babies are born with limited vitamin K.
While this is not a concern for most babies, some babies with low levels of Vitamin K can start bleeding without warning. This is called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). Infants who did not get the vitamin K shot at birth are at 81 times greater risk for developing VKDB than infants who did receive it.
About 90% of our Vitamin K comes from food, and 10% comes from healthy bacteria in our digestive tract. Unless babies are given Vitamin K, their levels will be low until they start eating solid foods, at about 6 months of age.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
VKDB can occur spontaneously (without any underlying injury). It can cause internal bleeding, leading to brain damage, organ damage, and death.
Treatment
The treatment for VKDB depends on the baby’s age and condition. Treatment will most likely include administering vitamin K as an intramuscular shot (delivering medicine directly into the thigh muscle). Serious cases may require transfusion and treatment in intensive care.
Prevention
Prevention of VKDB involves a single injection of vitamin K into the thigh muscle soon after birth. This is not a vaccine.
The main reasons an infant might be at risk for VKDB are:
- Not receiving supplemental vitamin K after birth
- Only receiving nutrients by breastfeeding
Some medications taken by the mother may also increase risk.
Talk to your health care provider about protecting your baby at birth with a booster of vitamin K.