Effect of oral water soluble vitamin K on PIVKA-II levels in newborns.

Abstract

Intramuscular administration of vitamin K for prophylaxis against hemorrhagic disease of the newborn has the disadvantage of increased cost, pain, anxiety to parents and risk of transmission of infection. Oral route is a better alternative. Oral absorption of vitamin K has been shown to be equally good using special oral preparations. However, this preparation is not available in India. A prospective study was carried out on 51 full term, healthy breastfed newborns to evaluate if the injectable water soluble preparation of vitamin K (menadione sodium bisulphite) could be as effective. Fourteen babies received 1 mg vitamin K intramuscularly, 24 received 2 mg vitamin K orally while 13 controls did not receive vitamin K at birth. PIVKA-II levels were measured in cord blood and at 72-78 hours of age in all babies as a marker of vitamin K deficiency. The overall PIVKA-II prevalence in cord blood was 64.7%. At 72-78 hours, PIVKA-II was present in 50% of babies in IM group, 58.3% of babies in oral group and in 76.9% of babies in 'no vitamin K' group (p > 0.05). The PIVKA-II levels decreased or did not change at 72-78 hours in 91.6% of babies in oral group versus 92.8% of babies in IM group (p > 0.05). On the other hand, PIVKA-II levels increased in 30.7% of babies who did not receive vitamin K as against in 7.8% of babies receiving vitamin K in either form (p < 0.05). Hence, vitamin K prophylaxis is required for all newborns at birth and injectable vitamin K (menadione sodium bisulphite) given orally to term healthy babies is effective in preventing vitamin K deficiency state.

• Authors: R K Sharma, N Marwaha, P Kumar, A Narang
• Journal: Indian pediatrics (Indian Pediatr) Vol. 32 Issue 8 Pg. 863-7 (Aug 1995) ISSN: 0019-6061 [Print] India
• PMID: 8635828 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Protein Precursors
• Vitamin K
• acarboxyprothrombin
• Prothrombin

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Biomarkers
• Female
• Fetal Blood
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Protein Precursors (analysis)
• Prothrombin (analysis)
• Vitamin K (administration & dosage)
• Vitamin K Deficiency (prevention & control)
• Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (prevention & control)