Evaluation of a daily dose of 25 micrograms vitamin K1 to prevent vitamin K deficiency in breast-fed infants.
Vitamin K prophylaxis is recommended to prevent the hazard of hemorrhage caused by vitamin K deficiency in young infants. A single administration after birth seems inadequate to completely prevent late haemorrhagic disease in breast-fed infants. The preventive effect of a daily oral dose of 25 micrograms vitamin K1, which is comparable to about half the dose ingested by formula-fed infants, was evaluated in 58 breast-fed infants. No clinical or biochemical signs of vitamin K deficiency occurred; PIVKA-II was not detectable, and vitamin K1 concentrations were moderately elevated. Vitamin K1 levels were negatively correlated with the number of hours elapsed since the most recent gift. Twenty to 28 h after the administration, median (P10-P90) levels were 1,262 (267-4,328), 1,072 (293-3,427), and 882 (329-2,070) pg/ml at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age, respectively. Vitamin K1 levels in formula-fed infants (n = 10) were around 7,000 pg/ml. In conclusion, daily supplementation of 25 micrograms vitamin K1 can be recommended for breast-fed infants to prevent vitamin K deficiency beyond the neonatal period.
Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Cornelissen
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Kollée
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van Lith
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Motohara
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Monnens
D015415:Biomarkers; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis*; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000032:analysis*; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D014813:Vitamin K Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011498:Protein Precursors; D014812:Vitamin K; C008208:acarboxyprothrombin; D011516:Prothrombin