Prenatal vitamin K1 administration in epileptic women to prevent neonatal hemorrhage: is it effective?
OBJECTIVE
To summarize current knowledge on whether prenatal prophylactic vitamin K1 administration to epileptic women receiving enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to prevent neonatal hemorrhage is effective.


METHODS
A computerized MEDLINE search was conducted using the terms antiepileptic drug, hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, pregnancy and vitamin K since 1966 to July 2004, limited only to human studies. English-language publications were selected based on their relevance to the clinical effectiveness of administration of oral vitamin K to epileptic women exposed to enzyme-inducing AEDs for prevention of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN).


RESULTS
No randomized, controlled trial testing prenatal vitamin K1 administration for reducing the incidence or severity of neonatal hemorrhage was identified. This review summarizes the data from published observational studies.


CONCLUSIONS
There is inadequate evidence to recommend the routine administration of prenatal vitamin K to epileptic women exposed to enzyme-inducing AED therapy in order to prevent HDN.
Yamasmit
Waralak
W
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chaithongwongwatthana
Surasith
S
Tolosa
Jorge E
JE
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D010837:Vitamin K 1 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006475:Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D010837:Vitamin K 1