When is the vitamin K shot given to newborns?

• A. Within the first week
• B. At birth
• C. At one month
• D. At six months

Answer: (B)

Newborns are at risk for bleeding because they have very low stores of vitamin K and their gut doesn’t yet host bacteria that produce it. Giving a single intramuscular dose of vitamin K right after birth supplies the vitamin needed to synthesize the key clotting factors, so the baby can form clots properly from the start. This early protection helps prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, including serious bleeds that can occur in the first days to weeks. That’s why the shot is given at birth.