Why more male than female newborns may get the crucial vitamin K shot

Photo credit: engin akyurt via Unsplash. Article by Aimee Cunningham. ScieneNews – June 15, 2026.

The vitamin shot, given at birth, reduces the risk of dangerous bleeding

Female newborns may be missing out on potentially lifesaving vitamin K shots more often than male newborns, according to a study of a Philadelphia health system. Among babies born at three hospitals affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, female newborns were less likely to receive vitamin K than male newborns, researchers report June 15 in JAMA Network Open. The apparent reason: Parents cannot get male babies circumcised at the hospitals if they refuse the vitamin K shot, which helps prevent bleeding. […]

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