Vitamin K shots prevent newborns from severe bleeds, but parents are increasingly declining them

New Study Finds Rising Decline in Vitamin K Shots for Newborns Amidst Parental Concerns

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has revealed a significant increase in newborns not receiving the routine vitamin K shot, which is crucial for preventing life-threatening bleeding. Since 2017, the percentage of infants who skipped this essential shot has risen by a staggering 77%, with over 2 million babies missing out on the vital protection.

Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia analyzed health records from nearly 5 million babies across over 400 hospitals in the US and found that in 2024, around 5.18% of newborns did not receive vitamin K shots. This alarming trend has sparked concern among healthcare providers, who warn that declining this shot is akin to "gambling with a child's health."

The main reason for this decline appears to be a growing perception among parents that the vitamin K shot is unnecessary. However, doctors stress that opting out of this shot is not only ineffective but also puts babies at risk of severe complications. Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) can lead to devastating and potentially fatal bleeding in infants, with those who don't receive the shot being 81 times more likely to experience such bleeds.

Despite the risks, some parents may be hesitant due to concerns raised by a 1990 study that initially linked vitamin K shots to childhood cancer. However, subsequent studies have debunked this association, and health authorities including the American Academy of Pediatrics assure that giving babies vitamin K shots is safe.

Another factor contributing to the decline in adherence to vitamin K shot recommendations may be growing hesitancy among parents about routine childhood immunizations, which has led to a decline in kindergarten vaccination rates. Parents may also not fully understand the risks of declining the shot, as VKDB is rare in the US due to widespread administration of vitamin K shots shortly after birth.

Healthcare providers and researchers are now calling for education and awareness efforts to reverse vaccine misperceptions and promote best practices in care. As Dr. Kevin Dysart, one of the study's senior authors, noted, "It's time to remind parents that routine childhood immunizations, like vitamin K shots, are essential for protecting their child's health."

can't believe we're already seeing a 77% rise in babies not getting the vax . i mean, who needs protection from bleeding when you've got opinions to share online? anyway, seems like some parents just don't wanna be bothered with their kid's health . all that said, it's good to see healthcare pros wanting to educate folks on the importance of these shots . but honestly, wouldn't it be great if we could just get one thing straight - vaccine myxomatosum is NOT linked to childhood cancer ?

I'm kinda surprised by this decline in vitamin K shots for newborns... i mean, it's not like they're talking about vaccines or anything . But seriously, 77% is a big drop - what's going on? are parents just not getting the info they need? I remember when my sister had her first kid, she was super concerned about all these new things that were coming out of nowhere (like flu shots ). And yeah, I get it, there's been some controversy around vaccines, but a vitamin K shot is literally life-saving... shouldn't be that hard to understand? still, gotta give it to the parents - at least they're thinking for themselves?

omg u guys this is so worrying 5.18% of newborns not gettin vit k shot in 2024?! thats insane 77% since 2017?! its like parents think they can just gamble w/ their kid's life idk what's goin on but we need to do somethin ASAP about this vaccine misperceptions ppl gotta know the risks 1990 study mighta raised some concerns but thats been debunked ages ago! lets get educated and make sure our kids get the care they deserve

omg u gotta read this! so its been found out that ppl r not gettin those vit k shots 4 newborns as much anymore & its causin a BIG problem!! like 77% of babies dont even get the shot anymore!!! its like parents think its unnecessary & thats just not true . if ur born without it u can get super sick & even die . i no some ppl might be worried cuz of that old study but honestly its been proven safe since then . we need 2 educate ppl & remind them how impotant these shots r

I'm really worried about this trend. I mean, I get it, some parents might have concerns, but not knowing the facts is no excuse . I've got a friend who's a mom and she actually asked her pediatrician about why vitamin K shots were still necessary after reading that 1990 study. The doc explained how the science has changed since then and how safe they are... but it sounds like some parents aren't getting the full picture .

And honestly, I think this decline in vaccination rates is a bigger issue than just vitamin K shots. We need to educate ourselves and our kids about the importance of staying healthy . It's not just about one specific shot or vaccine; it's about being responsible and taking care of ourselves and our communities .

this is crazy, 77% decline in a shot that can literally save a baby's life... what's going on with our generation? we're so caught up in being "informed" and doing our own research, but sometimes it's just not worth the risk. like, yeah, there was one study that initially linked vaccines to cancer, but did we really need 20+ years of more research to confirm what was already known? and now parents are just... opting out? without even understanding the severity of the consequences? it's like we're putting our kids' lives on hold because of a fear that's not even based in reality. i'm all for being skeptical, but there's a fine line between informed and misinformed. let's make sure we're educating ourselves... and our children... properly

I'm getting a bit worried about this trend . I've had my little ones go through all sorts of vaccinations and meds, and as long as you're informed, it's always better to be safe than sorry, right? These vitamin K shots are so crucial, especially for those tiny babies who can't defend themselves yet . Parents might be doing their research, but sometimes a good dose of reassurance from the docs would go a long way . We need more education and awareness about these things - it's not just about the vaccines, it's about keeping our kiddos healthy

Parents are too chill about baby shots? 5.18% not getting vitamin K shot is crazy high! They need to know: 81x more likely to bleed out if they skip it

This is super worrying me... all these parents think they're doing what's best for their kids but really they're just playing with fire by skipping the vitamin K shot. It's like, yeah sure some study in 1990 said it might be linked to cancer but that was a long time ago and most of those studies have been debunked! What's next? Are we gonna start vaccinating our kids with random stuff just 'cause we're worried about something that might not even happen?! And what's up with all these parents being so anti-vaxx... is it a thing now? I mean, I get it, there are risks involved but you can't just skip out on the most basic protection for your kid. It's like leaving your house without locking the doors! We need to educate people and set them straight about what's real and what's not. This isn't just about vitamin K shots, this is about saving lives... or at least giving parents some peace of mind when they're making decisions for their kids

I'm low-key worried about this trend . Parents have every right to question medical decisions, but we gotta get the facts straight. 5.18% is still a significant percentage of babies not getting the shot, and it's like, what if they're putting their own health at risk? I think healthcare providers need to do a better job of educating parents about the risks of VKDB and the benefits of the vitamin K shot. We can't just dismiss concerns, but we also can't ignore the science . It's time for some fact-checking and re-education, not just a blanket reassurance that everything is fine .

omg this is so bad!! i mean, i get it parents want what's best for their kids but not getting a vkt shot can literally be life threatening lol. like my sister had to deal with this when she was born and it was so scary. she did get the shot and her doc said all good now . i dont no why ppl are still thinkin its unnecessary tho... docs have been sayin its safe 4 years now . we need more education on vaccine benefits, like, how can ppl not know this info? . we gotta protect our kids lol!

I'm like totally glad there's a study out now about this! I mean, I was worried we were gonna see a huge spike in those life-threatening bleeding cases. But the good news is, it looks like only 5.18% of newborns aren't getting the vitamin K shot yet. And I feel bad for parents who might be hesitant 'cause of that 1990 study, but honestly, isn't it awesome that we've got more research to prove it's safe? The thing is, though, we need to make sure everyone knows how important this shot is! Like, our healthcare providers are trying to do just that – spread the word and help parents understand. And I think we can all agree on that, right?

omg, 5.18% of newborns not getting vitamin k shots is straight up alarming i think its because some parents just dont understand the risks, they get those weird facts online that say its connected to childhood cancer and then they freak out and skip it but like, we know that was debunked ages ago! its not just about one shot either, its about keeping babies safe from life threatening bleeds so yeah, education and awareness gotta be key here

Vitamin K shots r soooo important 4 newborns They can prevent major bleeding complications . Parents need 2 be aware of the risks and not think its unnecessary . Sometimes parents overthink things , but they shouldnt gamble w/ their baby's life . We need more education & awareness efforts . Vaccines r key 2 keeping babies healthy .

omg this is so crazy! like 77% more babies not getting the shot? what r people even thinking?! they need to get educated on how serious this is, i mean we've got a serious risk of bleeding out here and ppl are just chillin. its not about being told what to do or anything, its about putting ur kid's health first. like if u were gonna drive a car with no seatbelt wouldnt u think twice? same thing w vitamin k shots!!!

so its like a big ol' diagram with two main branches: knowledge and perception . on one hand, we got the science backing up the importance of vitamin k shots . they're proven to save lives and prevent devastating bleeds . but on the other hand, we got parents who are skeptical because of outdated info or just plain old misinformation . like that 1990 study that linked v.k shots to childhood cancer . it was a huge mistake , and now we're paying the price . so yeah, education and awareness are key . we need to get the word out there and make sure parents know what's really going on in their child's body . can't have kids risking their lives because of a bad vaccine myth !

omg u guys ‍ i cant even how r these parents makin decisions 4 their babies?? they need 2 know about the risks of not gettin that vitamin k shot it's life threatening !!! i mean, 81 times more likely 2 bleed out is a pretty good reason 2 make sure ur baby gets the shot . and yeah, i no vaccine misperceptions r real , but thats no excuse 4 not gettin ur kid vaccinated . docs & researchers are right we need more education & awareness so parents can make informed decisions 4 their babies' health

Ugh, I'm so worried about these numbers ... 77% is insane! It's not surprising though, I mean, we're living in a world where misinformation spreads like wildfire and people aren't afraid to question everything. I think it's awesome that the study showed the risks of VKDB are real, but at the same time, I get why some parents might be skeptical. The childhood cancer thing did come up in the past, and I remember my mom being super hesitant about all sorts of vaccines when I was a kid... anyway, education is key here . We need to make sure parents understand the risks and benefits so they can make informed decisions for their little ones. It's not just about the vitamin K shot, though - it's about vaccine skepticism in general.

I'm so frustrated with this trend. Vitamin K shots are literally a lifesaver for newborns and now some parents are just opting out because they're misinformed. Newsflash: a 1990 study that initially linked vitamin K shots to childhood cancer has been thoroughly debunked! It's like, what's the holdup? We can't be having this happen in 2025 with all the research and data available. I'd love to see more education and awareness efforts to set parents straight. Can't we just get it through our heads that these shots are crucial for preventing life-threatening bleeding?