Many parents who choose to refuse vaccinations also choose to refuse the vitamin K injection for their newborn. Making well-informed decisions requires good information about the pros and cons of medical interventions, especially when it comes to the health of babies.
This article discusses::
- what the vitamin K injection is
- why it is given
- possible concerns surrounding the injection
- preservatives in injections
- differences between the Netherlands and the United States
- breastfeeding and colostrum
The natural start of a baby
A baby enters the world with umbilical cord blood that is rich in stem cells. These stem cells are meant to flow freely through the body and help repair tissues that have been stressed during birth.
According to some researchers, a low vitamin K level at birth is not a “mistake” of nature. It may be intended to keep the blood fluid enough so that stem cells can reach the places where healing is needed.
After this comes the first breast milk: colostrum. This first nourishment naturally contains higher amounts of vitamin K. In this way, the baby receives vitamin K slowly, gradually, and biologically.
Critics of the standard vitamin K injection point out that in modern hospitals the umbilical cord is often clamped early, part of the blood volume is lost, and synthetic vitamin K is injected after birth.
What is the vitamin K injection?
The vitamin K injection is not a vaccine. It is an injection containing vitamin K1 (phytonadione). Since the 1970s, this injection has routinely been given to newborns. The goal is to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB).
VKDB is a rare but serious bleeding disorder in babies that can lead to: brain hemorrhages, permanent brain damage, or death.
Without a vitamin K injection, severe brain hemorrhages occur in slightly more than 5 out of 100,000 births. Approximately 90% of these cases involve breastfed babies, because formula milk often contains added vitamin K. About 40% of affected babies suffer permanent damage or die.
“Preservative-free” does not automatically mean safe
In the United States, people often refer to a “preservative-free” version of vitamin K.
This usually refers to: Amphastar. This version does not contain benzyl alcohol.
The older version: Hospira / AquaMEPHYTON® does contain benzyl alcohol (9 mg) as a preservative.
Vitamin K injections in the Netherlands
The injection most commonly used in the Netherlands is Konakion MM. Its ingredients are:
Active ingredient:
- Phytomenadione (vitamin K1). 2 mg per 0.2 ml ampoule.
Excipients:
- Sodium hydroxide
- Lecithin
- Hydrochloric acid
- Water for injections
Vitamin K injections in the United States
In the United States, the following vitamin K products are mainly used for newborns:
1. AquaMEPHYTON®
Ingredients
- Phytonadione (vitamin K1)
- Polyoxyethylated fatty acid derivative
- Dextrose
- Benzyl alcohol
- Water
- Glacial acetic acid
2. Amphastar Preservative-Free
Ingredients
- Phytonadione (vitamine K1)
- Polysorbate 80
- Propylene glycol
- Sodium acetate anhydrous
- Glacial acetic acid
Polysorbate 80
Some parents are concerned about excipients such as polysorbate 80 and benzyl alcohol.
Polysorbate 80 is used in the pharmaceutical industry as an emulsifier to make substances soluble.
In some cases, polysorbate 80 may contribute to:
- skin reactions
- redness
- swelling
- shortness of breath
- anaphylactoid reactions
This mainly occurs with injectable medications.
In scientific research, polysorbate 80 is sometimes intentionally used to help medications pass through the blood-brain barrier more effectively. For this reason, some people are concerned that it could make the BBB “more permeable.” Polysorbate 80 has also been suggested to possibly affect fertility and promote intestinal inflammation.
Benzyl alcohol and “Gasping Syndrome”
Benzyl alcohol has been associated with a serious condition in newborns: Gasping Syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by:
- metabolic acidosis
- encephalopathy
- intracranial hemorrhages
- breathing problems with gasping respirations
Premature babies with a low birth weight are especially at increased risk. Because of these concerns, Amphastar has become the preferred option more often in the United States in recent years.
Benzyl alcohol is used as a preservative, but due to concerns regarding premature babies, it is increasingly being avoided in products intended for newborns.
Delayed cord clamping
More and more research supports “delayed cord clamping” (waiting longer before clamping the umbilical cord).
The benefits include:
- better iron stores
- extra blood volume
- more stem cells
- support for neurological development
Today, many guidelines recommend waiting at least 1 to several minutes before clamping, unless there are medical emergencies.
Breastfeeding, colostrum and vitamin K
Colostrum is the very first breast milk a mother produces in the first days after birth. It is also called “golden milk” or “liquid gold” because of its rich composition. Colostrum contains, among other things:
- antibodies
- immune cells
- growth factors
- stem cell-like components
- minerals
- fats
- vitamins, including vitamin K
It is thicker and more yellow in color than later breast milk. Vitamin K naturally occurs in colostrum and later breast milk. The amount of vitamin K is highest in colostrum and decreases afterward in mature breast milk. This means that immediately after birth, the baby receives a natural source of vitamin K through colostrum.
In conclusion
For parents, it is important to:
- look at different sources
- read official package inserts
- ask questions to a midwife or doctor
- make choices based on complete and reliable information