Investigation of the Grounds for Newborn Intramuscular Vitamin K Refusal among Mothers in Türkiye: A Case-Control Study

Aim Refusal of intramuscular (IM) vitamin K administration, given prophylactically to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding, has become increasingly common alongside the growing tendency toward vaccine refusal. This study aimed to determine the reasons mothers refuse IM vitamin K administration for their newborns and to identify factors associated with refusal among mothers who accepted or declined IM vitamin K. Materials and Methods A case–control design was employed. The case group consisted of mothers with infants aged ≤ 2 years who refused IM vitamin K administration, while the control group included mothers who accepted IM vitamin K for their infants. A 1:2 ratio was applied between cases and controls, resulting in 74 cases and 148 controls. The study was conducted between March 2023 and June 2025. Data were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, Pearson’s chi-square test, and binary logistic regression to examine relationships between variables associated with IM vitamin K administration. Results Approximately one-third (32.4%) of mothers who refused IM vitamin K received antenatal care at public healthcare facilities (midwives in family health centers and healthcare staff in state hospitals). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that IM vitamin K refusal was more common among mothers who also refused neonatal prophylactic eye drops; expressed concerns about the content of vitamin K; exclusively breastfed their babies for the first six months; did not take their infants for follow-up examinations; did not use iron supplements during pregnancy; and did not undergo a double screening test (p < .05). The main reasons for refusal of newborn IM vitamin K were distrust and doubt, the perception that IM vitamin K is unnecessary, naturalistic or alternative beliefs, religious and cultural factors, lack of knowledge, and uncertainty. Conclusion and Recommendations Naturalistic and alternative treatment approaches appear to be important factors influencing maternal refusal of IM vitamin K. During antenatal care and infant–child follow-up visits, healthcare providers should address IM vitamin K refusal, along with vaccine hesitancy, through targeted education and communication with families.