Reference: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-the-vitamin-k-shot-in-newborns/
In the realm of essential vitamins, Vitamin K often doesn’t get as much attention as its more famous counterparts like Vitamins C or D. However, its role in our bodies is crucial, especially for effective blood clotting. This blog post dives into what Vitamin K is, its types, sources, and its importance in both adults and newborns.
What is Vitamin K? Vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin, plays a pivotal role in blood clotting. Its name derives from the German word “Koagulation.” Our bodies cannot synthesize Vitamin K, and we have limited storage capacity for it, making dietary intake essential. There are two main types of Vitamin K: K1 (phylloquinone) from plant sources and K2 (menaquinone) produced by bacteria in our intestines. About 90% of our Vitamin K comes from K1, while K2 contributes around 10%.
Sources of Vitamin K1:
- Leafy greens like spinach, kale, swiss chard, and collards.
- Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and turnips.
- Brussels sprouts, avocados, bananas, kiwi.
- Soybean oil.
The Function of Vitamin K: Vitamin K is essential for activating clotting factors, molecules that help blood to clot. Newborns, in particular, have normal levels of these factors but are not fully activated due to low Vitamin K levels. A deficiency in Vitamin K can lead to reduced blood clotting efficiency. Our bodies can typically manage with low levels of this vitamin, but a severe deficiency might lead to spontaneous bleeding, which is unpredictable and varies from person to person.
Vitamin K and Newborns: A significant concern with Vitamin K deficiency is in newborns, where it can lead to sudden, unexpected bleeding termed Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). Late VKDB, occurring after the first week of life, is particularly dangerous. Various statistics indicate the risk of late VKDB based on different Vitamin K interventions at birth, ranging from oral doses to injections.
Vitamin K Administration Options:
- The Vitamin K Shot: Highly effective in preventing VKDB, this method involves a slow release of Vitamin K1 from the injection site. However, it can cause pain, bruising, or bleeding at the injection site.
- Oral Vitamin K: A pain-free option, oral Vitamin K is easier to administer but may be less effective than the shot in preventing late VKDB. It requires multiple doses and may not be as effective in babies with certain medical conditions.
Addressing Concerns about the Vitamin K Shot: Some parents have reservations about the Vitamin K shot due to concerns about its ingredients. It’s crucial to understand that the shot with no preservatives contains safe and approved substances, including Vitamin K1, Polysorbate 80, Propylene glycol, Sodium acetate anhydrous, and Glacial acetic acid.
In Conclusion: Understanding the vital role of Vitamin K is essential for making informed decisions, especially for newborn care. While no method is 100% effective, the Vitamin K shot significantly reduces the risk of VKDB. It’s important for parents to have accurate, science-based information to make the best choices for their child’s health.
