This is a follow up to my full Vitamin K resource where I cover:
T purpose of the Vit K Shot
Is the Vit K shot a vaccine?
Misconceptions about the black box warning
Vit K Deficiency Bleeding stats
Alternative options & stats
And more
What’s the Scuttlebutt?
Ever since my original Vitamin K shot post there has been a lot of talk, comments, messages, and questions about the Vit K shot causing jaundice.
There certainly may be lots of anecdotal evidence out there (as with any scientific topic), but what I am going to provide is solely scientific evidence.
And let me address, as I can see the comments already LOL...there is CERTAINLY a need for anecdotal evidence in the science and medical realm. However, official scientific research must contain certain requirements that give it a bit more merit, which is why I like to base my information off such. Thankfully, scientific research DOES often take into account anecdotal evidence! And don’t get me wrong, there are certainly flaws in scientific research as well. This is why it’s SO important to learn to read and understand them yourself - so that you can ultimately think for yourself!
What is Jaundice?
Jaundice occurs when there is too much bilirubin in the body due to too many red blood cells dying or breaking down (hemolysis) and going into the liver, causing the classic yellowish pigment to the skin and eyes.
Can the Vitamin K Shot Cause Jaundice?
There HAVE been documented cases of Vitamin K being the cause of jaundice in newborns, but it’s important that we look at the facts.
The first reports of extreme hemolytic anemia and hyperbilirubinemia were in the mid 1950s when high doses (50mg) of Vitamin K2 (menaione) were used. This lead to the abandonment of Vitamin K2 and the use of lower dose Vitamin K1 (phytonadione) (1,2).
Since then, the only cases of reported hyperbilirubinemia as a result of Vitamin K1 has been in extremely high doses (25-30mg), almost exclusively in premies. The normal Vitamin K1 dose is 0.5-1mg, of which there have been no reported cases of jaundice (3).
So, Why Else Might Jaundice Occur?
Newborns produce more bilirubin than adults because they have a greater production and faster breakdown of red blood cells during the first few days of life.
Common Causes of Jaundice in Newborns:
Newborns have higher levels of bilirubin due to the shorter lifespan of red blood cells and higher red blood cell concentration
Newborns have immature liver function (especially in preemies) which causes bilirubin to metabolize slower.
Some newborns have a delay in the passage of meconium, which can lead to increased reabsorption of bilirubin.
Source: cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/maternal-or-infant-illnesses/jaundice.html
Breaking Down My Thoughts
It is not my place or expertise to tell you 100% the Vitamin K shot causes jaundice or doesn’t. And I acknowledge it is understandable given the fact that Vitamin K has caused jaundice (when given in extremely large doses), and that most babies do receive this shot, AND 60% of babies have jaundice to some extent, that there is a widespread belief that the typical Vitamin K shot causes jaundice.
However, right here and right now, given the scientific evidence, it does not appear as if the typical low dose of Vitamin K given to newborns causes jaundice. And given what we know about the top causes of jaundice, it could very well just be a simple numbers game based on a coincidence.
I am not here to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. I believe in parental informed medical consent and decisions - that is going to look different for everyone. It is important to gather a healthy balance of reputable scientific evidence and reputable anecdotal evidence when making such decisions.
Ultimately, my hope is to empower you to take charge of your family’s health and make informed decisions that YOU are confident in - whether that’s a decision I, or anyone else, agrees with or not.
Sources:
2 Newborn Vitamin K Prophylaxis: A Historical Perspective to Understand Modern Barriers to Uptake
Hosp Pediatr (2019) 9 (1): 55–60.
3 THE RELATION OF VITAMIN K TO HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA
Elizabeth Asteriadou-Samartzis; Sanford Leikin Pediatrics (1958) 21 (3): 397–402. doi.org/10.1542/peds.21.3.397
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