Antenatal administration of vitamin K1: relationship to vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors and incidence rate of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants; Egyptian randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To determine the effect of maternal antenatal administration of vitamin K-1 on activity level of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors and on the occurrence of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH). Methods: This study was conducted on 90 infants who were classified into; Group A: 30 preterm whose mothers received antenatal vitamin K-1, Group B: 30 preterm whose mothers did not receive antenatal vitamin K-1, and Group C: 30 healthy full term newborns as a control group. All newborns were subjected to measurement of the activity level of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors (FII, FVII, FIX and FX). Cranial ultrasound was done on the 1st, 3rd and 7th days of life. Results: Group B showed significantly lower activity level of FII and FX with higher incidence of PIVH compared with group A. Neonates who developed PIVH by the 7th day in both group A and B had significantly lower activity level of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. Conclusion: when antenatal vitamin K-1 was given to pregnant women at imminent risk of preterm labor, their preterm neonates were able to achieve a clotting status approaching that of full term neonates and are less liable to develop PIVH.