Vitamin K is given at birth to nearly all babies. Nitin Metha (the Network Contact for Young Indian Vegetarians) has heard that there may no longer be any vegan option for vitamin K at birth in the UK. This has been confirmed. Nitin is aiming to lobby for change on this.

The Vegan Society has written to Roche (the manufacturers) registering our disappointment. You can too, get in touch with Roche UK and be polite, understanding but firm that this situation must change for the benefit of both vegetarians and the religious community.

The Konakion Neonatal Ampoules which are animal-free in content are being withdrawn from 31st March 2006. The only Vitamin K option at birth will then be Konakion MM Paediatric, which has a carrier made from bovine bile.

If you have a baby due you may wish to ask your doctor to make you a prescription now for the vegan version while stocks last. Do also remember that it is recommended though not compulsory to have vitamin K at birth. Parents should get medical advice on this, which may vary depending on who you talk to.

Background to neonatal vitamin K

My vegan midwife and I have been trying to keep up to date on this one over the years, and it is often a hot topic on midwifery forums.

Roche have previously made two kinds of vitamin K ampoule, and appear to have cornered the market.

Konakion MM Paediatric: This version (the more expensive) is suitable for injection / IV / oral use and contains the bovine extract as its carrier. This is going to be the only one Roche provide.

Konakion Neonatal Ampoules: this second kind (cheaper) is only suitable for injection / IV use. It has not had the same bovine carrier and has previously (within the last year) been specified to my midwife as containing ingredients suitable for vegetarians and vegans. This will be discontinued after 31st March 2006, and in some NHS trusts it is already not available unless you get a prescription in advance.

No widespread notification of change of ingredients has been received in the UK midwifery community to my midwife's knowledge, though Roche do have a press release on this.

Lesley, a Network Contact, emailed Roche and they are now claiming that their vitamins division was sold off to DSM some years ago, so they cannot answer why the decision has been made to withdraw the animal-free version.

As mentioned by others, Vitamin K administration is given only by consent, and is most relevant if the baby has had a traumatic birth an/or there is a history of lack of blood clotting in the family. Risks reported to have been associated with its administration do not appear to have been conclusive.

If a parent wishes for a vitamin K product which they know to fit their ethical beliefs, it is important that they take this up with their midwife/consultant/GP as soon as possible before the baby is born, and obtain a prescription or ask the hospital to obtain the correct one in advance. They have more chance of doing this before 31st March 2006. Most medical professionals will not know which ones are suitable so it is important we keep informed on this.

Vitamin K sources for older children and adults

Stephen Walsh, the Vegan Society's nutrition expert tells us:

Whole cow's milk 0.2 micrograms of vitamin K per 100g. This is not a significant amount. Cow's milk formula [for babies] contains about 5 micrograms of vitamin K per 100g, but this does not come from the cow's milk.

To put these figures in perspective (for older children and adults), dark green leafy vegetables contain between 200 to 1000 micrograms per 100g while broccoli and most lettuces contain about 100 micrograms per 100g.

What we all can do

Patricia Hewitt is the Secretary of State for health. Her consituency is Leicester West. You will find her contact details, including surgery dates and location on her website.

If you are in her constituency you can attend one of her surgeries. If you live elsewhere you can contact her as the secretary of state. Please be polite, understanding, informative and succinct. You are representing a minority group.

You can copy any message you send to your own MP and ask them to chase this up. You can find out who is your MP and how to contact them at the House of Commons website.

Keeping up to date

We will update this page as and when we hear anything new. Nitin is taking this up with government. Thank you Nitin!

By Sophie Fenwick-Paul, a vegan parent and the Network Contact's Coordinator. Previously a childbirth educator.