Antenatal vitamin K therapy of the low-birth-weight infant.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to determine whether maternal vitamin K1 administered antenatally improved global coagulation parameters and the levels of specific vitamin K-dependent proteins in low-birth-weight infants.


METHODS
Thirty-three preterm mothers admitted in labor were assigned in a prospective, blinded fashion to receive either intramuscular vitamin K1 (17) or placebo (16). At delivery cord blood samples were tested for prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, factor II and protein C activity, and antigen levels. Statistical analysis was by Student t test.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences could be demonstrated with regard to group mean values for global tests (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time) or specific vitamin K-dependent protein levels (factor II, protein C) in newborns whose mothers received antenatal vitamin K compared with those who did not.


CONCLUSIONS
These results would suggest that antenatal vitamin K1 therapy to mothers < 32 weeks' gestation has no significant effect on the level of vitamin K-dependent factors in the fetus.
Dickson
R C
RC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
Stubbs
T M
TM
Lazarchick
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000941:Antigens / Q000097:blood; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011486:Protein C / Q000032:analysis; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000032:analysis; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000941:Antigens; D011486:Protein C; D014812:Vitamin K; D011516:Prothrombin