Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Dec 10: A growing number of parents in the United States are refusing to allow their newborns to receive mandatory Vitamin K shots, raising serious concerns among medical experts.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on Monday has revealed that the refusal rate has increased sharply in recent years, potentially putting infants at risk of life-threatening bleeding disorders.

Newborn babies naturally have low levels of Vitamin K, a crucial nutrient that helps blood clot. To prevent internal bleeding, US hospitals have been administering Vitamin K injections within hours of birth since the early 1960s.

The new study, led by Dr. Kristan Scott of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, examined data of more than 5 million infants born between 2017 and 2024 across 403 hospitals in all 50 states. It found that around 4% — roughly 200,000 babies — did not receive the shot, with refusal rates rising from under 3% in 2017 to over 5% in 2024.

The increase was particularly noticeable from 2019 onward, with higher refusal rates among non-Hispanic white infants, researchers said.

Dr. Scott noted that no medical guidelines have changed in this period, indicating that parental decisions alone are driving the trend.

Health experts believe that misinformation circulating on social media and growing vaccine skepticism have contributed to the hesitation. Physicians have clarified that the Vitamin K injection is not a vaccine, but a plant-derived supplement necessary to prevent severe bleeding in the brain or intestines.

Neonatologists warn that the trend reflects a broader mistrust in medical advice and institutions, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has emphasized the need for continued awareness among parents to ensure newborns receive essential preventive care.