Know the Risks of Rhogam and Vitamin K Shots Given to Pregnant Women and Newborn Babies

Pregnant mothers and newborn babies are routinely given a number of shots. Two controversial shots are Rhogam and vitamin K.

Since the 1970’s, mothers-to-be whose blood work shows that they are Rh factor (Rhesus factor) negative are told to get a shot of Rh immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) during pregnancy, as well as after delivery if the baby is Rh positive. The recommendation is due to the potential for Rh incapability between mother and child, which could cause the mother to make antibodies against their baby’s Rh-positive blood.

Rh is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells that help carry oxygen throughout the body. RhoGAM is initially given to mothers around the 28^th week of pregnancy and then again within 72 hours of birth.^{1 2 3}

When an Rh factor negative mother gives birth to a Rh factor positive baby, if their blood mixes during childbirth, there is a possibility that the mother could experience Rh sensitization, which means her immune system could produce antibodies to the Rh-positive blood. While being Rh sensitized does not produce any symptoms, the antibodies stay in the blood and could lead to complications with future pregnancies. If the mother has future pregnancies, the antibodies could cross the placenta and destroy the baby’s red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. This destruction of red blood cells could lead to anemia. Severe anemia, also referred to as Rh disease or hemolytic disease of the fetus, could lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, brain damage or heart failure.⁴

All RH Negative Pregnant Women Routinely Given the RhoGAM Shot

Approximately 15 percent of white men and women are Rh negative because they do not make the Rh protein, while between four to eight percent of black men and women and 0.3 of Asians lack the Rh protein.⁵

The RhoGAM shot may not be necessary for all women who get it. Doctors all too often fail to test the father to determine their Rh factor. When both the mother and father are Rh negative, there is no possibility the baby could be Rh positive and the shot would not be needed.

RhoGAM is derived from donated human blood and carries with it the same risks as any blood donation, including but not limited to, exposure to certain viruses. Side-effects include life-threatening anaphylaxis, blood clots, and serious lung problems. Other rare side effects include decreased urination, bloody urine, increased thirst and blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, swelling of face, fingers and lower legs, unusual bleeding and bruising, trouble breathing, tiredness, weakness and weight gain. Warnings include the recommendation that no live virus vaccines should be given within three months of receiving a RhoGAM shot.⁶

Current RhoGAM ingredients include Anti-D Rho Immune Globulin, sodium chloride, glycine and polysorbate 80.⁷ Prior to 2001, RhoGAM contained the mercury preservative Thimerosal.⁸

The Vitamin K Shot Recommended for Newborns Since 1961

Since 1961, newborn babies have been given a shot of synthetic vitamin K within six hours of birth.^{9 10} Vitamin K helps with blood clotting and keeping bones healthy. Because it doesn’t pass through the placenta, and they don’t yet have the gut bacteria to make it, babies are born with very low levels of vitamin K. Babies may, therefore, be at risk for vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) which can occur internally as well as externally.¹¹

Despite not all babies being at risk for VKDB, all babies are routinely given the vitamin K shot at birth. Classical VKBD, which takes place two days to one week after birth, occurs in between one in 60 and one in 250 babies. Early onset VKBD can happen if the mother was taking medications that interfered with vitamin K production during pregnancy. Late onset VKBD, which can happen between one week and six months of birth, occurs in between one in 14,000 and one in 25,000 babies.

Overall, late onset VKBD is 81 times more likely to occur in babies who did not get the vitamin K shot.¹²

Symptoms of a vitamin K deficiency include hemorrhaging, which can manifest as extreme bruising, wounds that won’t stop bleeding, nose bleeds or internal bleeding such as in the stomach, intestine or brain.¹³

It is recommended that newborn babies weighing less than 3.3 pounds get one vitamin K shot with 1 mg vitamin K. Newborns who weigh more than 3.3 pounds are expected to get 0.3 mg/kg to 0.5 mg/kg.¹⁴

The shot contains Polyoxyethylated fatty acid derivative, dextrose, hydrochloride, along with nine milligrams of benzyl alcohol.¹⁵ Newborn babies receive a vitamin K shot that contains alcohol, which targets the liver, a detoxifying organ. One of the side effects of synthetic vitamin K is jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia)^.16 Other serious side effects of synthetic vitamin K shot are shock and cardiac or respiratory distress.¹⁷

Concerns About Whether There Is A Link Between Vitamin K Shot and Childhood Cancer

There has long been some concern that the injectable synthetic vitamin K shot is associated with development of childhood cancer. A 1992 study published in the British Medical Journal looked at 195 children diagnosed with cancer compared to 558 control children and found a significant association (2.65 fold increased risk of leukemia) between the vitamin K shot and childhood cancer. The study confirmed the findings of two previous studies.^{18 19} However, studies conducted since then have not shown a link between the vitamin K shot and childhood cancers.^{20 21}

Low Vitamin K at Birth May Protect Babies

Babies are naturally born with low levels of vitamin K. Mouse and epidemiologic studies conducted almost 30 years ago indicate that low levels of vitamin K at birth could protect the developing fetus from harm that, “escape the primary placental screen.”²² Researchers suggest that this is especially important considering the rapid cell turnover in the developing fetus.

Scientists in a different study explained that the tightly controlled production of vitamin K and other growth regulators in embryos and newborns may be critical for normal fetal development in the first eight weeks of embryo development,^{23 24} suggesting that perhaps Mother Nature didn’t get it wrong, after all.

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