Does vitamin K prophylaxis prevent bleeding in neonates exposed to enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs in utero?
OBJECTIVE
One of my epileptic patients takes carbamazepine. She is 36 weeks pregnant and has asked me whether she should start vitamin K to prevent neonatal bleeding. Does current evidence support this practice?


CONCLUSIONS
Recent evidence does not support the notion that newborns of women treated with enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant drugs are at increased risk of hemorrhagic disease. Antenatal vitamin K can be prescribed on an individualized basis in certain circumstances, such as imminent premature delivery.
Rezvani
Massoud
M
Motherisk Program.
Koren
Gideon
G
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006475:Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014812:Vitamin K; D002220:Carbamazepine