Has anyone declined vitamin k at birth for their baby?

[lou4791]

Hi Ladies,
I wonder if anyone can help me.
After lots of research myself and DH declined vitamin K for our baby at birth back in September. Our little one was born at home with no complications and neither of us have any medical problems. But sadly, 6 weeks later our baby suffered a brain haemorrage due to vitamin K deficiency disease. To cut a long, difficult and guilt- ridden story short, he has recovered, and although still under consultant care, seems to be developing normally. However, finding information about babies who have not been given vitamin K is very difficult.I have questioned consultants about the possibility of there being a link between my little one's problem and my previous recurrent miscarriages, or symptoms of obstetric cholestasis (blood tests showed no problem)in pregnancy, but even they have no clue as they have never come across another case in their careers.
Has anyone else declined vitamin k for their baby? If so, what was the outcome for you?

Lou x

hi Lou,

what a terrible time you must have had, really sorry to hear that your little one has been through so much so young.

DS1 was born at home and we too declined Vitamin K for the same reasons you did - to the best of my knowledge there's been no harm done as a result.

Hope the little guy continues to improve

I declined Vitamin K at birth for both my dd's.

When dd1 was born nearly 13 years ago now there was a lot of talk of the injections causing childhood leukeamia so we read the info and decided to decline. Dd1 was fine and has never had any problems.

When dd2 was born 6 years ago we again declined,although the paed checking her over before discharging us was very pushy and kept asking us if we wanted to reconsider but we had made our informed choice and stuck to it. She wasn't very happy but told us what to watch out for just incase something should happen and we needed to rush dd2 back to hospital but again nothing happened and she was fine.

I'm sorry your little one had problems and I hope he continues to recover well.

As a nurse I am concerned to hear of vit. K being declined and wonder if parents are aware of the serious risk of bleeding in some babies? To the best of my knowledge it is a naturally occuring vitamin vital for normal blood clotting. I would imagine it contains some kind of carrier solution but is certainly not in the league of vaccines, live or attenuated.

Have googled this and the leukemia risk has been ruled out in worldwide studies. On the face of it, it seems quite perverse to decline, especially in view of the OPs awful experience. (So glad to hear your LO has apparently recovered, at 6 months signs of motor developmental delay would show, so hopefully its an experience you can put behind you.)

Perhaps midwives should discuss beforehand the merits of vit k so parents can make an informed choice. The risk of brain damage should surely outweigh discredited research?

Sorry it's taken a while to reply on this thread.

We have had an update on our little one's condition which although not good news, does explain why he has had the problems that he has had.
He has been diagnosed with Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic condition, which can lead to liver and lung problems. As the liver has an important role in absorption of fat soluble vitamins ( including vitamin k) This is the reason why he had blood clotting problems in his early weeks. It's unlikely that having vitamin K at birth would have made any difference.

I always knew there was something underlying, but didn't know if we would ever find out what it was.

Thanks for everyones' comments and kind wishes.

Lou x