New study shows rising infant bleeding risks as vitamin K shot refusals double

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that the proportion of American infants not receiving the routine vitamin K shot rose to 6.8% in 2025, more than double the 3.1% rate recorded in 2017. Research examining over 11 million U.S. newborn health records indicates that infants who skip the injection face a significantly higher risk of bleeding in the brain and gastrointestinal tract by six months of age. According to the CDC, babies who forgo the shot are 81 times more likely to develop a bleeding disorder.

Medical professionals report that some parents decline the injection due to concerns regarding black box warnings or by mistakenly categorizing the shot as a vaccine. While vitamin K can be administered orally, experts emphasize that the injection is a standard practice to prevent life-threatening complications.

In a related case in New Braunfels, Texas, a family filed a complaint with the Texas Medical Board alleging that an emergency room doctor failed to recognize vitamin K deficiency bleeding in their 11-day-old daughter. The infant had experienced persistent bleeding from her umbilical cord stump after her parents had opted for oral drops instead of the standard injection at birth.