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Archive for July 27th, 2008

Jul 27 2008

Are Vitamin K Shots Safe for Newborns?

Published by cherie under baby Edit This

I know that it is standard procedure to give all newborns a vitamin K injection to help prevent blood clotting problems.  I guess that it is even a state requirement.  However, I’ve been reading about the injections and I’m really starting to worry.  There have been at least two studies done that have linked the injections to a higher rate of childhood cancer and leukemia.  Many people say that the risk of the blood clotting issue (which affects about 1 in every 10,000 newborns) is not worth the risk of the injection.  However, 1 in every 10,000 is not a small number.  I’m just not sure what to do.  I keep thinking things like, what if I allow the injection and she develops leukemia?  Or, what if I refuse the injection and she ends up with brain bleeding because her blood won’t clot?  Does anyone have any advice, ideas, or experience with this?  I would truly appreciate some help with this issue!

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