Vitamin K shots stop internal bleeding in newborns. So why are some parents refusing them?
In the US and Sweden, there’s been a drop in the number of babies receiving the vitamin K injection. But Australia doesn’t collect national data.
Vitamin K is crucial for blood clotting, and newborns typically receive an injection at birth to ensure they have sufficient levels. However, recent studies from the United States and Sweden have shown a growing number of newborns without a documented record of receiving this injection. While the reasons behind this trend remain unclear, two Australian states - Queensland and Tasmania - have reported declining rates of vitamin K injections since 2016, with more than 2,500 babies going without the shot in 2025 alone.
Despite the rarity of vitamin K deficiency bleeding, a life-threatening condition, its incidence has remained low in Australia, with around two or three cases reported each year. But when late bleeding occurs, it often happens inside the skull, posing a severe risk. In Australia, parents' declining rates of vitamin K injections have increased from 32% between 1993 and 2005 to 63% between 2006 and 2017.
The reasons behind this decline are not well understood, but international research suggests factors such as perceived injection risks, a preference for natural approaches, mistrust of medical advice, and information found online or via social media may play a role.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
