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[Coagulation tests in newborn infants and their dynamics in relation to vitamin K prophylaxis]
Insights
Vitamin K prophylaxis improves blood clotting in newborns. Infants receiving vitamin K normalized coagulation faster than those without it, suggesting its benefit for term infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Hematology
- Clinical Coagulation
Background:
- Newborns exhibit distinct coagulation profiles.
- The necessity of vitamin K prophylaxis in term infants requires elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess coagulation status in healthy term newborns.
- To evaluate the impact of vitamin K prophylaxis on neonatal coagulation.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study comparing two groups of newborns.
- Measurement of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).
- Coagulation parameters assessed on days 1, 4, and 7 post-birth.
Main Results:
- Initial low prothrombin time (54%) and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (44.37 sec) observed on day 1.
- Faster normalization of coagulation status by day 4 in newborns receiving vitamin K.
- Coagulation normalized by the end of the first or beginning of the second week in the un-prophylaxed group.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin K prophylaxis accelerates coagulation normalization in term infants.
- Consideration of vitamin K prophylaxis for at-risk term infants, not solely premature ones.
Abstract:
A prospective study of some coagulation screening tests in newborns is performed having in mind to elucidate coagulation status in healthy term newborns and the necessity of vitamin K prophylaxis. Two groups of newborn babies are formed: the first includes 29 babies without vit. K prophylaxis, the second--30 newborns who receive 1 mg/kg i.m. vit. K on the first day after birth. All the newborns have their prothrombin time (PT) and partial prothrombin time (aPTT) measured in day first, fourth, and in a small number on the seventh day as well. Low PT (54%) and moderately prolonged PTT (44.37 sec) are found on the first day after birth. It is established that the coagulation status is normalized faster in newborns who have received vit. K prophylaxis--as soon as fourth day, while the group without vit. K--until the end on the first or the beginning of the second week. The conclusion is made that it is wise to use vit. K prophylaxis not only with premature, but also in risk term infants.