Overview
- The CHOP-led analysis of Epic Systems’ Cosmos records covered more than five million births in 403 hospitals across all 50 states from 2017 to 2024.
- The share of infants not receiving intramuscular vitamin K rose from 2.92% in 2017 to 5.18% in 2024, an increase of about 77%.
- Refusal rates were highest among non-Hispanic white babies, with growth accelerating around 2019–2020 and continuing through the pandemic period.
- Infants who miss the shot face a far higher risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding—the CDC estimates more than 80-fold—including potentially fatal late-onset cases up to six months of age.
- Researchers report oral vitamin K is less reliable than the single injection and note that nationwide data tying refusals to increased bleeding remain limited despite anecdotal cases and renewed calls for parent education.