[Evaluation of various forms of vitamin-K prophylaxis in breastfed infants].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To establish recommendations for prevention of vitamin K deficiency in healthy breastfed infants.

DESIGN:

Prospective clinical trials of different methods of vitamin K prophylaxis.

METHODS:

Study of vitamin K1 and proteins induced by vitamin K absence (PIVKA)-II concentrations, and some coagulation factors at the ages of 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks in healthy breastfed infants with either once 1 mg vitamin K1 orally (n = 165) or intramuscularly (n = 166), or weekly 1 mg orally (n = 48), or daily 25 micrograms orally (n = 58).

RESULTS:

Despite significantly higher vitamin K1 plasma concentrations after intramuscular administration, there was no difference in activities of coagulation factors VII and X, and PIVKA-II concentrations between oral and intramuscular administration. The two single administrations of 1 mg could not prevent the appearance of PIVKA-II after the age of 1 month. When vitamin K was administered as 1 mg per week or 0.025 mg per day, significantly higher concentrations of vitamin K1 were found and no PIVKA-II was detectable.

CONCLUSION:

A single administration of 1 mg vitamin K1 orally or intramuscularly may not afford complete protection against late vitamin K deficiency in healthy breastfed infants. A regimen of 1 mg per week or 25 micrograms vitamin K1 per day proved to be effective in prevention of vitamin K deficiency and the latter is recommended for breastfed infants during the first three months of life.

• Authors: E A Cornelissen, L A Monnens
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 137 Issue 43 Pg. 2205-8 (Oct 23 1993) ISSN: 0028-2162 [Print] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Evaluatie van verschillende vormen van vitamine K-profylaxe bij met de borst gevoede zuigelingen.
• PMID: 8247166 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Blood Coagulation Factors
• Protein Precursors
• acarboxyprothrombin
• Vitamin K 1
• Prothrombin

Topics

• Biomarkers
• Blood Coagulation Factors (isolation & purification)
• Breast Feeding
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Prospective Studies
• Protein Precursors (isolation & purification)
• Prothrombin (isolation & purification)
• Vitamin K 1 (therapeutic use)
• Vitamin K Deficiency (prevention & control)