What is Vitamin K, and what is VKDB?

The NHS says:

‘Vitamin K is a group of vitamins that the body needs for blood clotting, helping wounds to heal. 

There's also some evidence Vitamin K may help keep bones healthy.’ 

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, found throughout the body including the liver, brain, heart, pancreas, and bone. It occurs naturally in foods such as leafy greens, meat and fermented foods. 

What is Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB)? 

Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) is a very rare bleeding disorder in newborns that can be serious. 

According to the NHS: 

‘VKDB occurs in one in every 8,500 full term babies if no Vitamin K supplement is given (0.012%).  

In the whole of the UK, if no Vitamin K supplement was given, 10 to 20 of the 800,000 babies born each year (~0.002%) might be brain damaged as a result of a bleed into the brain, and about five babies would die of this condition.’ 

The NCT charity for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood notes that: 

‘The chance of a baby getting VKDB is low, even if they are not given vitamin K... 

Most babies who get VKDB recover if they are treated quickly. A small number of babies may have long-term damage. In rare cases, it can cause brain damage or death, but this is extremely uncommon.’ 

There are different classifications of VKDB: early-onset (within the first 24 hours of birth), classical (within the first week) and late-onset (after the first week but within 12 months). Late-onset VKDB is the most dangerous type. 

The NHS says that: 

‘Babies are more likely to have VKDB if they:  

• have had a complicated birth  
• are born prematurely  
• need to have surgery  
• are unwell for any reason  
• have liver disease (they may have prolonged jaundice, pale stools or dark urine)  
• find it hard to absorb feeds  

About a quarter of babies who have bleeding have no previously identified risk factors.’