Vitamin K prophylaxis for premature infants: 1 mg versus 0.5 mg.
We studied babies (22 to 32 weeks gestational age) of mothers wishing to breast-feed. Group 1 received 1 mg of vitamin K and Group 2 received 0.5 mg of vitamin K. The Day 2 plasma levels of vitamin K were 1900 to 2600 times higher on average, and the Day 10 vitamin K levels 550 to 600 times higher on average, relative to normal adult plasma values, whether an initial prophylaxis dose of 0.5 mg or 1 mg was used. We conclude that 0.5 mg as the initial dose of vitamin K intramuscularly or intravenously would likely be more than adequate to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, and that 0.3 mg/per kg may be used for babies with birth weights below 1000 g. To decrease vitamin K intakes in this population, new preparations of total parenteral nutrition multivitamins are needed.
Costakos
Dennis T
DT
Division Neonatology, Franciscan Skemp-Mayo Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601, USA. Costakos.Donald@mayo.edu
Greer
Frank R
FR
Love
Laureen A
LA
Dahlen
Lynn R
LR
Suttie
John W
JW
D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D006475:Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*
D014812:Vitamin K