Applying Lessons from Vaccination Hesitancy to Address Birth Dose Vitamin K Refusal: Where Has the Trust Gone?

Authors

Shetal I. Shah, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Heather L. Brumberg, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Edmund F. La Gamma, New York Medical CollegeFollow

DOI

10.1016/j.semperi.2020.151242

Journal Title

Seminars in Perinatology

First Page

151242

Last Page

151242

Document Type

Review Article

Publication Date

6-2020

Department

Pediatrics

Second Department

Health Behavior and Community Health

Keywords

Communication, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Injections, Intramuscular, Intracranial Hemorrhages, Parents, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Pregnancy, Public Health, Social Media, Treatment Refusal, Trust, Vaccination Refusal, Vitamin K, Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding, Vitamins

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Refusal of intramuscular Vitamin K at birth is an emerging public health issue resulting in increased rates of intracranial bleeding. Parents who refuse this intervention bear epidemiologic resemblance to vaccine-refusing parents, are geographically clustered and share a mistrust of public health interventions. We review the prevalence of Vitamin K refusal and discuss individual and societal recommendations that may reduce Vitamin K refusal, adapted from vaccine hesitancy literature. We note the prevalence of misinformation on social media as a contributor to refusal and explore how changes in healthcare practices may influence growing physician mistrust. We propose solutions to the issue including state-based mandates and a pervasive social media strategy to combat misinformation as a contributor to Vitamin K refusal.

Recommended Citation

Shah, S. I., Brumberg, H. L., & La Gamma, E. F. (2020). Applying Lessons from Vaccination Hesitancy to Address Birth Dose Vitamin K Refusal: Where Has the Trust Gone?. Seminars in Perinatology, 44 (4), 151242-151242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2020.151242