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Prevention of vitamin K deficiency in infancy by weekly administration of vitamin K

E A Cornelissen1, L A Kollée, R A De Abreu

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Weekly vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) oral doses protect healthy breastfed infants from vitamin K deficiency. This regimen prevents late-onset hemorrhagic disease of the newborn without accumulating vitamin K1 in the blood.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Vitamin K prophylaxis is crucial for preventing hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
  • Single postnatal vitamin K doses may be insufficient, leading to late-onset disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of weekly oral vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) administration in healthy breastfed infants.
  • To assess the long-term preventive effects against vitamin K deficiency.

Main Methods:

  • 48 healthy, breastfed infants received 1 mg of oral vitamin K1 weekly for the first three months.
  • Thrombotest, PIVKA-II, and vitamin K1 levels were measured at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.
  • Vitamin K1 concentrations were correlated with time since last administration.

Main Results:

  • All infants maintained normal thrombotest values and undetectable PIVKA-II levels.
  • Vitamin K1 levels showed a negative correlation with days since the last dose.
  • Mean vitamin K1 levels at 6-7 days post-dose were 1223, 927, and 748 pg/ml at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively.

Conclusions:

  • Weekly oral vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) provides complete protection against vitamin K deficiency in breastfed infants.
  • This prophylactic schedule does not lead to vitamin K1 accumulation in the blood.
  • The findings support weekly oral vitamin K1 as a safe and effective strategy for preventing neonatal hemorrhagic disease.

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