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Vitamin K1 levels and K1-dependent coagulation factors II and X in preterm and small-for-date neonates

  • Neonatology
  • Published:
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Abstract

In 17 preterm neonates and 7 small-for-date neonates, all formula-fed, vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II and X remained near 45% of adult values from the moment of birth until 28 days postnatally. Vitamin K1 levels, however, showed a remarkable rise from below the detection limit of 0.022 ng/ml in umbilical cord blood, to serum levels with a range of 0.99–7.29 ng/ml vitamin K1 on day 3, with a further rise on days 7 and 28 postnatally. Vitamin K1 (Konakion) parenterally given to a third group of four preterm neonates as a 1 mg dose resulted in very high serum levels of vitamin K1 (64.08–157.10 ng/ml), but without any significant increase in plasma levels of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II and X, compared to the group without any extra vitamin K1. It is concluded that in healthy preterm and small-for-date neonates no correlation is seen between serum levels of vitamin K1 and plasma levels of coagulation factors II and X. After administration of 1 mg Konakion no accelerated increase is seen in coagulatin factor activities.

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Abbreviations

AT III:

antithrombin III

FDP:

fibrinogen degradation products

F II:

coagulation factor II (total of non- and carboxylated)

F IIC:

coagulation factor II-activity

FX:

coagulation factor X

HDN:

haemorrhagic disease of the newborn

HPLC:

high performance liquid chromatography

PIVKA II:

descarboxylated coagulation factor II

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Reinier de Graaf Hospital, P.O. Box 5011, 2600 GA, Delft, The Netherlands

    A. L. J. M. Pietersma-de Bruyn & J. C. Kuijpers

  2. Department of Paediatrics, Reinier de Graaf Hospital, P.O. Box 5011, 2600 GA, Delft, The Netherlands

    P. J. C. van der Straaten

  3. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Stichting Samenwerking Delftse Ziekenhuizen (SSDZ), Delft, The Netherlands

    P. M. M. van Haard

  4. Department of Haematology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    K. Hamulyák

  5. Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands

    J. H. Ruys

Authors
  1. A. L. J. M. Pietersma-de Bruyn
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  3. P. M. M. van Haard
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  4. J. C. Kuijpers
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  5. K. Hamulyák
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  6. J. H. Ruys
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Pietersma-de Bruyn, A.L.J.M., van der Straaten, P.J.C., van Haard, P.M.M. et al. Vitamin K1 levels and K1-dependent coagulation factors II and X in preterm and small-for-date neonates. Eur J Pediatr 149, 640–644 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02034753

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02034753

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