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Vitamin K absorption capacity and its association with vitamin K deficiency
1Department of Pediatrics, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
Insights
Plasma vitamin K concentrations varied greatly in infants after supplementation. This wide absorption variability is a key factor in infantile vitamin K deficiency.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
Background:
- Infantile vitamin K deficiency (VKDB) is a serious condition in newborns.
- Vitamin K prophylaxis is standard, but VKDB still occurs.
- Understanding factors influencing vitamin K status in neonates is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure plasma vitamin K concentrations in infants post-supplementation.
- To investigate associations between plasma vitamin K levels and markers of deficiency.
- To identify factors contributing to the variability in vitamin K status.
Main Methods:
- Plasma vitamin K (menaquinone-4) concentrations were measured in 194 infants at 5 days old, 3 hours after a 4-mg dose.
- Plasma protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) levels were assessed.
- Statistical analysis was performed to explore associations.
Main Results:
- Plasma vitamin K concentrations showed significant variability, ranging from below detection limits (<2 ng/mL) to over 1000 ng/mL.
- Vitamin K concentrations were associated with PIVKA-II values, indicating nutritive deficiency.
- A wide range of vitamin K absorption was observed among neonates.
Conclusions:
- Significant inter-individual variability exists in plasma vitamin K concentrations after standard prophylaxis.
- Poor vitamin K absorption is a likely major contributor to infantile vitamin K deficiency.
- Further research into absorption mechanisms is warranted to optimize prophylaxis.
Abstract:
We measured plasma vitamin K concentrations in 194 5-day-old infants three hours after administration of a 4-mg dose of vitamin K (menaquinone-4, Kaytwo syrup, Eisai Co Ltd, Tokyo, Japan). We investigated association with other factors contributing to vitamin K deficiency. These plasma vitamin K concentrations varied greatly among the neonates from values below the limit of detection (2 ng/mL) to more than 1000 ng/mL. The vitamin K concentration was associated with nutritive vitamin K deficiency represented by plasma protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) values. The wide variation in vitamin K absorption is considered to be one of the major causative factors in infantile vitamin K deficiency.