Study finds more parents saying 'no' to vitamin K at birth, putting babies' brains at risk

Study finds more parents saying 'no' to vitamin K at birth, putting babies' brains at risk

Increasing numbers of parents are refusing vitamin K shots for their newborns, putting infants at greater risk of avoidable brain injuries, according to a preliminary systematic review released February 26, 2026.

A vitamin K injection is a supplement that provides babies with an essential vitamin that is naturally low in newborns. It is not a vaccine. Vitamin K is needed to help blood clot. Getting a vitamin K shot right after birth can prevent a rare but serious condition called vitamin K deficiency bleeding. This condition can cause an intracerebral hemorrhage, a type of stroke, when a blood vessel bursts in the brain, which can lead to death or lifelong brain problems.
Refusal of vitamin K injections at birth is increasing in several regions, raising the risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding in newborns, which can cause brain hemorrhage, death, or long-term neurological disability. Infants without the injection are 81 times more likely to develop this condition. Refusal is also linked to declining other newborn health interventions.

Researchers found that among case series reports of babies who had vitamin K deficiency bleeding, approximately 14% of the babies died, about 40% had long-term neurological disabilities such as cognitive impairment, seizures or motor deficits, and about 63% of babies had brain bleeds.

They also found that parents who refused vitamin K for their babies were more likely to skip other recommended health protections.

Parental concerns included pain, preservatives and belief in inaccurate information.

Source: A preliminary systematic review released February 26, 2026, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 78th Annual Meeting taking place April 18–22, 2026, in Chicago and online.