Improvement of Vitamin K Status of Breastfeeding Infants with Maternal Supplement of Vitamin K2 (MK40)

Abstract

The present study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of maternal vitamin K2 supplementation on the vitamin K status of newborn infants using the measurement of des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (PIVKA-II [protein induced by vitamin K absence]) and the hepaplastin test (HPT). PIVKA-II and HPT were measured at the 1st month of age in two groups: 31 infants with maternal vitamin K supplementation (15 mg/d Menatetrenone since the 14th day after parturition) (group 1) and 46 without maternal supplementation (group 2). All infants received vitamin K2 syrup twice within the 1st week of life. The PIVKA-II levels of 31 infants (group 1) were 23.6 mAU/mL (standard deviation [SD] 5.8), showing extremely low levels, and close to healthy adult levels, with a smaller deviation than what was seen in group 2. The levels of the 46 infants in group 2 were 27.8 (SD 16.0). This does not differ significantly from group 1, but a small number of infants showed a modestly high level in PIVKA-II. There also was no significant difference between the two groups in the HPT. These data would indicate that maternal vitamin K supplementation can maintain the vitamin K status throughout the late neonatal period and prevent an onset of vitamin K-deficient hemorrhage.

Vitamin K prophylaxis: Leaving the old route for the new one?

“…A new window, addressing physiology and safety, seems to have been opened by oral solutions, including “mixed micellar” or “low‐dose” preparations. Moreover, growing interest in recent studies has revaluated the real content of vitamin K in human milk (apparently dependent on diet) with different bioavailability and has reconsidered the real needs of vitamin K in breastfed infants 30–32. These solutions could offer a good alternative for the prevention of late VKBD and improve vitamin K status in term newborn infants.…”

Vitamin K prophylaxis: Leaving the old route for the new one?

“…A new window, addressing physiology and safety, seems to have been opened by oral solutions, including "mixed micellar" or "low-dose" preparations. Moreover, growing interest in recent studies has revaluated the real content of vitamin K in human milk (apparently dependent on diet) with different bioavailability and has reconsidered the real needs of vitamin K in breastfed infants [30][31][32]. These solutions could offer a good alternative for the prevention of late VKBD and improve vitamin K status in term newborn infants.…”

Vitamin K2 added for nutritional purposes in foods for particular nutritional uses, food supplements and foods intended for the general population and Vitamin K2 as a source of vitamin K added for nutritional purposes to foodstuffs, in the context of Regu

“…Human studies Nishiguchi et al (2002) studied the efficacy of maternal vitamin K 2 supplementation on the vitamin K status of newborn infants. The study consisted of 31 newborn infants from lactating mothers who received tablets providing 15 mg/day of MK-4 for 2 weeks starting on the 14 th day post-parturition, and 46 infants whose mothers did not receive vitamin K 2 supplementation.…”