Vitamin K is a man-made vitamin that is offered to all babies after birth. It can be given either as an injection or by mouth.
Vitamin K is necessary to prevent bleeding diseases such as Haemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn and production of proteins necessary for the normal growth of bones.
Babies do not have enough Vitamin K when they are born. It is important to prevent this serious condition which can cause severe bleeding into the brain and can be fatal. There is a 1:10,000 chance that your baby could develop this disease.
Research over the last 30 years has shown that giving the injection is the most effective method of preventing this disease. However the research is not conclusive in saying one route is better than the other.
You'll be offered an injection of vitamin K for your baby.
If you'd prefer for your baby not to have an injection, they can have vitamin K by mouth instead, but they'll need further doses.
Your Midwife will discuss will discuss Vitamin K for your baby during pregnancy. Read our patient information leaflet on Vitamin K
Back
Visit the UHCW CHarity Website
Please ensure you have a current blood test request form, if not please contact your hospital consultant or GP and they will post one to you. Unfortunately, your blood test will need to be rescheduled if you do not have a blood test request form when you come to a Blood Test clinic.
All blood tests are by appointment, please book an appointment using the Book Online button below.
If you have an appointment and cannot attend, please remember to cancel or reschedule your appointment so that someone else can use the time slot that you no longer need.
If you cannot book an appointment online, family and friends may be able to help – you can book appointments for more than one person from one account. Booking online is the quickest way to make an appointment.
If this is not possible, there is a telephone line for those who cannot book online. Please call 02476 153546 between 8am and 1pm Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.