A growing number of U.S. families are refusing the standard vitamin K shot for newborns, a decision that doctors say is leading to a resurgence of a preventable and often fatal condition: vitamin K deficiency bleeding.
Hospitals report refusal rates have more than doubled in some regions since the pandemic. A national study published in December found that over 5% of babies did not receive the shot in 2024-a 77% increase from 2017.
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. Newborns are born with low levels, and breast milk does not provide enough. The shot, recommended by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics since 1961, virtually eliminated the bleeding condition.
The trend is fueled by misinformation on social media. Some parents fear toxins or link the shot to debunked claims about cancer. The result: babies arriving at emergency rooms with seizures, brain bleeds, and in many cases, death.
Medical experts say the data is underreported because the condition is not tracked. They are calling for a national reporting system.
“We’re a victim of our own success,” said Dr. Ivan Hand, a neonatologist. “Since we’ve been treating babies with vitamin K, we haven’t seen much deficiency bleeding, so people think it doesn’t exist.”