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Vitamin K prophylaxis and vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in early infancy

R von Kries1, U Göbel

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|September 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Single parenteral vitamin K prophylaxis significantly prevents early infant bleeding. Oral vitamin K offers some protection but is less effective than injections for preventing vitamin K deficiency bleeding.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) is a preventable hemorrhagic disorder in newborns.
  • Prophylaxis with vitamin K at birth is standard practice to prevent VKDB.
  • Different routes of administration (oral vs. parenteral) and dosages exist.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the efficacy of single-dose vitamin K prophylaxis in preventing early infantile VKDB in Germany.
  • To compare the effectiveness of parenteral versus oral vitamin K administration.

Main Methods:

  • A 15-month survey (1988-1989) of all German pediatric hospitals for VKDB cases.
  • Population denominators obtained from a survey of all obstetric hospitals.
  • Confirmed VKDB cases with known prophylactic status were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Thirteen cases of early infantile VKDB were confirmed, seven with intracranial hemorrhage.
  • Single parenteral vitamin K prophylaxis demonstrated 96.7% efficacy (95% CI: 74-99.6%).
  • Single oral vitamin K prophylaxis showed 80.4% efficacy (95% CI: 9.1-95.6%).

Conclusions:

  • Single parenteral vitamin K prophylaxis provides substantial protection against early VKDB.
  • Single oral vitamin K prophylaxis appears less effective than parenteral administration, though not statistically significant due to wide confidence intervals.

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