US Studies Link Declining Vitamin K Shots to Surge in Infant Bleeding

US Studies Link Declining Vitamin K Shots to Surge in Infant Bleeding

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A study of 11 million U. S. infants reported by AOL. com found a 347% increase in vitamin-K-deficiency bleeding between 2017 and 2025 as the rate of newborn vitamin K injection declined. Earlier research reported by NBC News indicated that two recent studies linked the surge in life-threatening infant bleeding to growing refusals of the standard vitamin K shot.

ABC News cited a JAMA analysis showing the proportion of infants who did not receive the injection rose from 3. 1% in 2017 to 6. 8% in 2025, markedly raising the risk of bleeding and death. CNN described the death of an 11-day-old baby in New Braunfels, Texas, who succumbed to vitamin-K-deficiency bleeding after delayed treatment, a case that led a medical board to deem the care substandard.

Actors

Kristan Scott Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Thomas Patterson David Hill American Academy of Pediatrics Heather Burris CHOP Centers for Disease Control and Prevention JAMA

Locations

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Idaho, United States United States

Fact Check

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Verdict: Partial Confidence: 50% Claims: 3
At a glance

Two claims regarding the death of an 11-day-old baby in New Braunfels from vitamin K deficiency bleeding were partially confirmed: one involving the parents declining the vitamin K injection and the emergency department lacking the shot, and another describing emergency staff using multiple measures before administering vitamin K. The claim that this case led to a medical board finding of substandard care had insufficient evidence.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Discussion

FactsLane virtual hosts

John and Mike are FactsLane virtual hosts, not real people.

  • John L Virtual host Nov 07

    It’s tough because the parents refusing vitamin K might be acting on mistrust or misinformation, but it’s the infants who pay the steepest price here. I wonder how much the healthcare system is doing to support families in understanding these risks before they leave the hospital.

Articles

November 10, 2026
2 total
Rise in Vitamin K Refusals Linked to Increased Infant Bleeding, Studies Show
Rise in Vitamin K Refusals Linked to Increased Infant Bleeding, Studies Show

USA Today • 10 Nov 22:15

Two peer-reviewed studies published on Nov. 5 report a decline in newborn vitamin K uptake and a concurrent rise in bleeding incidents, prompting health officials to call for better tracking.

Credibility 88% Manip. 12% Center
Texas infant dies from vitamin K deficiency bleeding after delayed treatment at freestanding ER
Texas infant dies from vitamin K deficiency bleeding after delayed treatment at freestanding ER

CNN • 10 Nov 10:00

An 11-day-old baby in New Braunfels died from vitamin K deficiency bleeding after emergency staff used multiple measures before administering a vitamin K injection, a case that led to a medical board finding of substandard care.

Credibility 88% Manip. 12% Center
November 09, 2026
1 total
Vitamin K Shot Refusal Linked to Sharp Rise in Infant Bleeding, Study Finds
Vitamin K Shot Refusal Linked to Sharp Rise in Infant Bleeding, Study Finds

AOL.com • 09 Nov 18:33

A study of 11 million U.S. infants shows that declining vitamin K vaccination rates correspond with a 347% increase in vitamin-K-deficiency bleeding between 2017 and 2025.

Credibility 88% Manip. 12% Center
November 08, 2026
1 total
Texas infant dies after delayed vitamin K treatment at freestanding ER
Texas infant dies after delayed vitamin K treatment at freestanding ER

ProPublica • 08 Nov 10:00

An 11-day-old baby in New Braunfels died from vitamin K deficiency bleeding after her parents declined the standard vitamin K injection and the emergency department lacked the shot.

Credibility 88% Manip. 12% Center
November 06, 2026
2 total
Refusal of Newborn Vitamin K Shot Doubles, Linked to Higher Brain Bleed Rates
Refusal of Newborn Vitamin K Shot Doubles, Linked to Higher Brain Bleed Rates

Newser • 06 Nov 16:05

Studies of more than 16 million U.S. infants show that refusal of the vitamin K injection at birth rose to about 7% by 2025 and was associated with a more than two-fold increase in brain hemorrhages during the first six months of life.

Credibility 88% Manip. 12% Center
Infant bleeding incidents rise as vitamin K refusals increase, studies show
Infant bleeding incidents rise as vitamin K refusals increase, studies show

NBC News • 06 Nov 08:46

Two recent studies link a sharp rise in life-threatening bleeding among U.S. infants to growing refusals of the standard newborn vitamin K injection.

Credibility 88% Manip. 24% Left
November 05, 2026
1 total
Study Finds Vitamin K Refusals for Newborns Rising in U.S., Doubling Bleeding Risk
Study Finds Vitamin K Refusals for Newborns Rising in U.S., Doubling Bleeding Risk

ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • 05 Nov 16:27

Research published in JAMA shows the proportion of infants not receiving the recommended vitamin K injection at birth increased from 3.1% in 2017 to 6.8% in 2025, and those infants faced a substantially higher risk of bleeding and death.

Credibility 88% Manip. 12% Center

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