EVALUATION OF A DAILY DOSE OF 25 MU-G VITAMIN-K-1 TO PREVENT VITAMIN-K DEFICIENCY IN BREAST-FED INFANTS

Vitamin K prophylaxis is recommended to prevent the hazard of hemorrha ge caused by vitamin K deficiency in young infants. A single administr ation after birth seems inadequate to completely prevent late haemorrh agic disease in breast-fed infants. The preventive effect of a daily o ral dose of 25 mug vitamin K1, which is comparable to about half the d ose ingested by formula-fed infants, was evaluated in 58 breast-fed in fants. No clinical or biochemical signs of vitamin K deficiency occurr ed; PIVKA-II was not detectable, and vitamin K1 concentrations were mo derately elevated. Vitamin K1 levels were negatively correlated with t he number of hours elapsed since the most recent gift. Twenty to 28 h after the administration, median (P10-P90) levels were 1,262 (267-4,32 8), 1,072 (293-3,427), and 882 (329-2,070) pg/ml at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age, respectively. Vitamin K1 levels in formula-fed infants (n = 1 0) were around 7,000 pg/ml. In conclusion, daily supplementation of 25 mug vitamin K1 can be recommended for breast-fed infants to prevent v itamin K deficiency beyond the neonatal period.