Vitamin K prophylaxis in the neonate by the oral route and its significance in reducing infant mortality and morbidity
Isarangkura, P.B.; Bintadish, P.; Tejavej, A.; Siripoonya, P.; Chulajata, R.; Green, G.M.; Chalermchandra, K.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 69(Suppl): 56-61
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 3805949 Document Number: 275966
Vitamin K prophylaxis in the neonate is well accepted and routinely practiced in developed countries. It has not been applied routinely in most developing countries because of problems regarding parenteral administration. This paper studied the efficacy of VKP by oral route for use in developing countries which cover 80 per cent of the world population. A single dose of vitamin K1 was given to normal fullterm newborn infants at 6-12 hours by oral or intramuscular route. The capillary thrombotest (Owren's method) to measure level of prothrombin complex was performed serially in infants at the age of 1/2-1 month and 1-2 months. Three hundred and twenty-one breast-fed infants were divided into 4 groups; given VKP 1 mg im, 1 mg, 2 mgs orally and not given vitamin K. VKP 1 mg im or 2 mg orally appeared to have similar beneficial effect to the infants up to the age of two months. This would prevent not only hemorrhage disease of the newborn but also "idiopathic vitamin K deficiency in infants or APCD syndrome" which has high mortality (10-30%) and high permanent neurological handicap (50-65%) from intracranial bleeding. The routine practice of giving vitamin K prophylaxis 1 mg im or at least 2 mg orally to all neonates is strongly recommended and should be emphasized particularly in developing countries.