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.
KEYWORD
PIVKA-ll - breast milk - vitamin K - menaquinone 4 (MK4) - hepaplastin test (HPT)