Prevention of vitamin K deficiency in infancy by weekly administration of vitamin K.
Vitamin K prophylaxis has been developed to prevent classic haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Single vitamin K administration after birth has been reported to fail, resulting in late haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. The preventive effect of oral administration of vitamin K1 1 mg, repeated weekly during the first three months of life, was studied in 48 healthy breast-fed infants, by determination of thrombotest, PIVKA-II and vitamin K1 concentrations at the age of 4, 8 and 12 weeks. All infants showed normal thrombotest values and PIVKA-II was not detectable. Vitamin K1 concentrations were negatively correlated with the number of days elapsed since the most recent vitamin K administration. Six to seven days after the latest application, mean levels were 1223, 927 and 748 pg/ml at ages 4, 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. In conclusion, weekly administration of vitamin K1 1 mg offers complete protection against vitamin K deficiency and does not result in an accumulation of vitamin K1 in the blood.
Cornelissen
E A
EA
Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Kollée
L A
LA
De Abreu
R A
RA
Motohara
K
K
Monnens
L A
LA
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000032:analysis; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D013997:Time Factors; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010837:Vitamin K 1 / Q000097:blood; D014813:Vitamin K Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006475:Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D014812:Vitamin K; C008208:acarboxyprothrombin; D010837:Vitamin K 1; D011516:Prothrombin