What is vitamin K made of?
The major source of vitamin K is found in green plants. This form is called phylloquinone. Another form of vitamin K is made by bacteria living in the intestine. This form is called menaquinone.
What does vitamin K do for the body?
Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones. Prothrombin is a vitamin K-dependent protein directly involved with blood clotting. Osteocalcin is another protein that requires vitamin K to produce healthy bone tissue.
Is K3 harmful to humans?
Research from the 1980s and 1990s has demonstrated that vitamin K3 is harmful to humans. These studies have linked vitamin K3 to liver damage and the destruction of oxygen-carrying red blood cells ( 6 ). For this reason, only the K1 and K2 forms of vitamin K are available as dietary supplements and prescriptions.
How does vitamin K work in blood clotting?
Vitamin K helps to regulate the process of blood coagulation by assisting in the conversion certain coagulation factors into their mature forms. Without vitamin K, our bodies would be unable to control clot formation.
What is a vitamin K injection at birth?
Vitamin K is needed for blood to clot normally. Babies are born with very small amounts of vitamin K in their bodies which can lead to serious bleeding problems. Research shows that a single vitamin K shot at birth protects your baby from developing dangerous bleeding which can lead to brain damage and even death.
What are the side effects of vitamin K?
Side Effects
- Decreased appetite.
- decreased movement or activity.
- difficulty in breathing.
- enlarged liver.
- general body swelling.
- muscle stiffness.
- paleness.
- yellow eyes or skin.
Is vitamin K harmful?
Can vitamin K be harmful? Vitamin K has not been shown to cause any harm. However, it can interact with some medications, particularly warfarin (Coumadin®)—see the information below.
Is vitamin K toxic?
Vitamin K toxicity is extremely rare. The only reported toxicity comes from menadione, which has no use in humans. Its toxicity is thought to be associated with its water-soluble properties. When toxicity does occur, it manifests with signs of jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia, hemolytic anemia, and kernicterus in infants.
What is the antidote for vitamin K toxicity?
Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) has been the mainstay for urgent anticoagulation reversal in patients taking vitamin K antagonists (eg, warfarin).
Why do parents decline vitamin K for their newborns?
Despite American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, some parents refuse IM vitamin K as prophylaxis against vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) for their newborn.
Can you refuse vitamin K shot at birth?
Although the Vitamin K shot is safe and, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, has been routinely given to newborns at birth since 1961, some parents refuse the shot due to myths and misperceptions about its safety.
Does vitamin K shot have mercury?
Q: Does the vitamin K shot have thimerosal in it? A: No. (Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been used in the United States in medicines and vaccines.)
Does the vitamin K shot contain aluminum?
Sodium acetate anhydrous (0.17 mg) helps to maintain a neutral pH in the vitamin K shot. There are no toxicity concerns with this small amount. This ingredient does contain a small amount of aluminum, which is noted on some package inserts, but the amount is no more than 0.05 μg (a μg is 1/1000th of a milligram).
Does vitamin K shot cause jaundice?
Another myth is that the vitamin K injection increases the risk of jaundice—which is inaccurate. Jaundice associated with vitamin K has been observed only in high risk babies (such as premature babies) in doses 30-60 times higher than the dose we give.
What are signs of a vitamin K overdose?
Is vitamin K necessary at birth?
Low levels of vitamin K can lead to dangerous bleeding in newborns and infants. The vitamin K given at birth provides protection against bleeding that could occur because of low levels of this essential vitamin.
Can I refuse vitamin K shot for newborn?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends intramuscular (IM) injection of vitamin K at birth to eliminate Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding in Newborns (VKDB). In recent years, reports of parents refusing the vitamin K injection for their newborns in the United States (U.S)2–4 and other countries have increased.
Can I refuse vitamin K for my newborn?
Vitamin K is an essential intervention recommended for all newborns to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), and has been part of newborn care since 1961. Unfortunately, parental refusal of neonatal vitamin K has been increasing.