Vitamin K deficiency bleeding claims

VKDB or vitamin K deficiency bleeding is a bleeding disorder which can cause severe injury to newborn babies. The condition is sometimes called by its former name, haemorrhagic disease of the newborn or HDN. It is more commonly known as VKDB because it is caused by a lack of vitamin K.

We need vitamin K in our bodies so that our blood clots normally. This allows wounds to heal and prevents excessive bleeding. Our bodies make some vitamin K from bacteria in our intestines, and the rest comes from our diet.

Babies are born without any vitamin K. In the first few weeks of life, their bodies cannot make vitamin K because their intestines do not yet contain the necessary bacteria to produce it. If they bleed, their blood does not have enough vitamin K to form a clot. This puts them at risk of serious injury, particularly severe injury to the brain from intracranial bleeding.

A baby with vitamin K deficiency bleeding may bleed uncontrollably because their blood cannot clot properly. Normal blood clotting is necessary to enable wounds to heal.

Bleeding from VKDB (haemorrhagic disease of the newborn) can occur in parts of the body where there has been treatment or trauma during birth, such as:

• from fetal scalp monitoring wounds;
• inside the baby’s head after a traumatic delivery;
• or within the chest or abdomen.

The baby may bleed from non-vital organs, such as:

• gastrointestinal (within the digestive system);
• from the skin and mucous membranes, (such as the nose or gums);
• after circumcision;
• from the umbilical stump.

The most severe injury and disability from VKDB comes from intracranial haemorrhage, where the baby suffers permanent injury from bleeding into their brain.

Yes, VKDB is easily preventable by a standard treatment which is given to the newborn baby by the midwife immediately after their birth. This usually involves a single injection of vitamin K.  

To prevent babies from suffering this life-threatening condition, it is standard practise in most developed countries to give supplemental vitamin K to all newborn babies. In countries, such as the UK, where vitamin K is given as standard treatment to babies immediately after birth, VKDB is very rare. Where cases of VKDB occur, they may have been caused by negligent failure to give vitamin K, or where the parents of a breast-fed baby have refused to consent to their baby receiving vitamin K treatment.

All newborn babies are at risk of serious injury or death from vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in the first few months of life. This is because their bodies cannot make vitamin K as they do not yet have the necessary bacteria in their intestines.

The risk of VKDB is even greater where the baby:

• was born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy);
• was delivered by caesarean section, forceps or Ventouse suction (kiwi);
• had breathing problems at birth;
• is breastfed (and doesn’t receive the vitamin K that is often added to formula milk);
• is circumcised;
• has liver disease;
• has a condition, such as coeliac disease, which affects how they absorb nutrients;
• was exposed to certain medication taken by the mother during pregnancy.

Medical negligence compensation claims for VKDB injuries often arise after vitamin K is not correctly administered to a newborn baby, where vitamin K treatment is delayed, or where it is withheld without the parents’ informed consent .

It is recommended that all newborn babies receive vitamin K within 24 hours of birth. Parents who are considering refusing consent for their baby to receive vitamin K should be fully informed of the benefits of vitamin K and the risk of VKDB and the harm it could do to their baby.

Medical negligence compensation claims for VKDB injury caused by negligent failure to administer vitamin K to newborn babies commonly involve permanent, severe disability from brain injury, cerebral palsy or other neurodevelopmental disability.

Our specialist neonatal brain injury solicitors can help families recover substantial compensation after their child has suffered serious brain injury from VKDB following negligent maternity and neonatal care. 

Once liability is established, we secure interim payments; to help meet our clients’ urgent needs for care, therapies, suitable or adapted accommodation and specialist equipment and relieve financial hardship.

Settlements are carefully structured to ensure that money will be available to meet the child’s lifelong needs arising from their disability.

Depending on the individual client’s needs, compensation may be claimed for:

• pain, suffering and disability;
• help with care and case management;
• increased costs of suitable accommodation or home adaptations;
• therapies, (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy (OT), speech and language therapy);
• private medical treatment;
• specialist equipment, vehicles and assistive technology (IT);
• financial losses, including loss of earnings;
• support with special educational needs (SEN);
• Court of Protection deputyship.

Read more about compensation for cerebral palsy