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Am J Perinatol 2003; 20(8): 485-490
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-45384
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Copyright © 2003 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Vitamin K Prophylaxis for Premature Infants: 1 mg versus 0.5 mg

Dennis T. Costakos1,2 , Frank  R.  Greer3 , Laureen A. Love1 , Lynn R. Dahlen1 , John W. Suttie4
  • 1Division Neonatology, Franciscan Skemp-Mayo Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, Mayo Medical School, Rochester, Minnesota
  • 3Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin Medical Center, Madison, Wisconsin
  • 4Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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Publication History

Publication Date:
02 January 2004 (online)

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ABSTRACT

We studied babies (22 to 32 weeks gestational age) of mothers wishing to breast-feed. Group 1 received 1 mg of vitamin K and Group 2 received 0.5 mg of vitamin K. The Day 2 plasma levels of vitamin K were 1900 to 2600 times higher on average, and the Day 10 vitamin K levels 550 to 600 times higher on average, relative to normal adult plasma values, whether an initial prophylaxis dose of 0.5 mg or 1 mg was used. We conclude that 0.5 mg as the initial dose of vitamin K intramuscularly or intravenously would likely be more than adequate to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, and that 0.3 mg/per kg may be used for babies with birth weights below 1000 g. To decrease vitamin K intakes in this population, new preparations of total parenteral nutrition multivitamins are needed.

KEYWORDS

Vitamin K - premature babies - total parenteral nutrition

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