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[Latent vitamin K deficiency in breast-fed infants]
B Goldschmidt1, L Benedek, Z Golán
1Pest Megyei Semmelweis Kórház, Gyermekosztály.
Insights
Breast-fed infants not receiving vitamin K show a latent vitamin K deficiency, indicated by acarboxyprothrombin. This deficiency correlates with lower coagulation factor activity but without observed bleeding.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
Context:
- Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of functional clotting factors.
- Infants, particularly those breast-fed, are at risk for vitamin K deficiency.
- Acarboxyprothrombin is a marker for vitamin K deficiency.
Purpose:
- To investigate vitamin K status in breast-fed versus bottle-fed infants.
- To assess the prevalence of acarboxyprothrombin and its relation to coagulation factor activity.
- To determine if vitamin K deficiency is latent in exclusively breast-fed infants.
Summary:
- A study examined vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in breast-fed and bottle-fed infants without vitamin K supplementation.
- Acarboxyprothrombin was detected in 14% of breast-fed infants at one and three months, but not in bottle-fed infants.
- Lower coagulation factor activity was observed in infants with acarboxyprothrombin, suggesting latent vitamin K deficiency.
Impact:
- Highlights a potential risk of latent vitamin K deficiency in exclusively breast-fed infants.
- Underscores the importance of monitoring vitamin K status in this population.
- Informs potential strategies for vitamin K supplementation in infants.
Abstract:
Quick test, coagulation activity of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, factor II activity by ecarin, levels of factor II immunoreactive antigen and acarboxyprothrombin were examined in two groups of infants, breast-fed and bottle-fed at the ages of one month and 3 months. None of them received vitamin K at birth and later. Acarboxyprothrombin could be demonstrated in about 14% at the both age of life of breast-fed children, but not in the groups of bottle-fed infants. The activity of coagulation factors was significantly lower in the acarboxyprothrombin-positive group compared to the acarboxyprothrombin-negative group. In none of the infants manifest bleeding was observed. No difference in the activities of factors could be detected in the acarboxyprothrombin-negative groups of breast- and bottle-fed children. These data suggest a frequent latent deficiency of vitamin K in breast-fed infants.