What does anyone think about the vitamin k injection for newborns?

Question

My baby is due today, not showing any signs of pooping out to meet us today though. I've heard the vit k injection for newborns is linked with chilhood cancer an luekemia. Does anyone know anything about this?

Answer 1

As long as you are breastfeeding, don't have a traumatic birth (no birth injuries to the child.....no use of forcepts, etc.) and don't plan to have your child circumcised, it's OK to skip it. We did.

Answer 2

the pro's are bound to say that. nearly every baby in the UK has it, and as 99% are having it, im sure that some of them end up with childhood luekemia and its not linked at all. the vit k jab is to help the liver out as when ur born its kinda not ready to work so needs the booster!

plus EVERYTHING they do to the baby has risks. if u're really super worried about it y dnt u google it? (trator to yahoo!)

one more thing, to the person who put the warnings and uses of vit k. thats in adult doses, not baby, and also, go look at the leaflet u get with paracetamol or asprin?! they apparently can make ur hair fall out, give u cancer, cardiac arrest, etc, but have u ever got these things from every day pain killer? no.
the reason they put the warnings there is bcuz ther culd b a 1 : 1000000 chance of ur hair falling out. same with the vit k jab. any risks are going to be so small that the pros of having the jab will out weigh the cons.

Answer 3

Vitamin K information:



WARNING: The injectable form of this medication must be used only when the oral form cannot be used. Injectable vitamin K can cause rare, possibly fatal allergic reactions, even during the first injection. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing.

USES: Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin which plays an important role in blood clotting. This medication is used to prevent and treat hypoprothrombinemia (low blood clot factor levels) caused by vitamin K deficiency.

HOW TO USE: This medication is given by injection by a health care professional under the skin (SC, SQ), or if no alternative, into a large muscle (IM) or intravenously (IV), though very serious side effects may occur with the IV or IM route. Follow dosing instructions. Do not increase your dose, take this more often or stop taking this without first consulting your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS: This medication is generally well tolerated. You may notice pain, swelling and tenderness at the injection site for a few days. Notify your doctor if you experience any of the following while taking this drug: chest pain, flushing, strange movements, rapid pulse, tightness of the chest, cramps. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have: blood disorders, allergies. A preservative (benzyl alcohol) which may be found in this product or in the liquid used to mix this product (diluent) can infrequently cause serious problems (sometimes death) if given by injection to an infant during the first months of life (neonatal period). The risk is greater with lower birth weight infants and is greater with increased amounts of benzyl alcohol. Symptoms include sudden gasping, low blood pressure, or a very slow heartbeat. Report these symptoms to the doctor immediately should they occur. If possible, a preservative-free product should be used when treating neonates. This medication should be used as directed during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Consult your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Answer 4

I was in the same predicament as you before I had my boy. The bottom line is, for every positive in life, there is a negative. I was unsure what to do, but didn't want my baby to be in that small % of babies that die due to internal bleed due to not receiving vitamin K. At the same time, I do not want him to be in the small % that could get leukaemia (my spelling is crap today). But you have to weigh your options up, something that is always difficult when you are confronted with potentially 2 life threatening options - which one you choose?? My boy was given vitamin K. I asked my mother the same question that you have posted - she had a different view. When she had us, there was no such research conducted and in her views the child that is born is either healthy or not, and would not require any additional vitamins as such. Obviosly, injections (immunisation) is different altogether.

Answer 5

My baby had vit k injection 6 weeks ago, i think the risks are the same as any other i did reasearch and spoke to my midwife and cant really see the link. At the end of the day its up to you and it is the first of one of many decisions you have to make for your baby.

Answer 6

Not many babies are given it by injection now, most are given it via the mouth in a syringe.
Ive never heard of it being linked to cancer etc though.
Just think, its better to have it, what would happen if your baby (god forbid!) did have a blood clotting problem and ends up running into problems because he/she didnt have vit k?
cancer is in all of our bodies, but something triggers it off in certain people (too much sun/ smoking etc etc) and starts it multiplying and thats what causes tumours.

Answer 7

my son had it same as had mmr and will have any thing else they offer to help him in life yhere is so many things that can cause this and do that but 99% of it is just a load of tosh. if you feel it is right for your baby then that is what matters if your ok with it then do it. babys need so much help in the 1st few weeks as their imune system does not exist so go for it i cant see how it could be linked to cancer.

good luck with the birth hunny and hope you and baby have a happy well life xxxx

Answer 8

i wasent sure at first so my midwife gave me a leaflet about it and i ended up going for it as it says it has no links and also what if you dont give the vitimin k then what happens theres risks for everything, good luck with the new bundle of joy

Answer 9

It is fine, the fact that nearly every child in the UK has one and there is little evidence to show a link.
I know as parent we all worry loads and want the best, but the benifits of the injection far outweigh any risks

Answer 10

Every child born in New York state is required by law to have the Vitamin K injection after birth. There is NO evidence linking it to cancer - otherwise, almost EVERY child born in NY would have cancer in some form or another.

If you want your child to bleed to death, skip the injection.