Vitamin K to Neonates: Peroral versus Intramuscular Administration

. In a randomized study of 300 infants, the effect of 1 mg of peroral vitamin K given at birth was compared to the same dose given as an intramuscular injection. The combined activity of coagulation factor II + VII + X taken after 48 and before 72 hours after delivery served as the primary endpoint. Prothrombin (antigen) and PIVKA II (acarboxyprothrombin) were also measured. All infants were observed for events of bleeding until discharge from the hospital, normally on the fifth day. No significant differences between the groups in any of the biochemical markers were observed. The 95% confidence limits of the differences were very narrow for all factors. No cases of bleeding were observed. We conclude that administration of 1 mg peroral vitamin K is as efficient as intramuscular administration of the same dose in the prevention of classical hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.