Why Vitamin K is important

Vitamin K helps blood to clot. It is essential to prevent serious bleeding.

Babies do not get enough vitamin K from their mothers during pregnancy, or when they are breast feeding. Without vitamin K, they are at risk of getting a rare disorder called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding, or VKDB.

VKDB can cause bleeding into the brain, and may result in brain damage or even death.

VKDB can be prevented by giving new babies, extra vitamin K. to about six months, until they have built up their own supply.