NO INFLUENCE OF MATERNAL VITAMIN K SUPPLEMENTATION ON VITAMIN K CONCENTRATION IN BREASTMILK

Abstract

Haemorrhagic disease in breastfed infants caused by vitamin K deficiency can be prevented by oral or parenteral vitamin K administration. Low vitamin K intake with breastmilk may be responsible for the late onset vitamin K deficiency. Therefore we measured vitamin K intake of 28 healthy term breastfed infants at 6, 28 and 90 days of age in a longitudinal randomized study. 16 mothers received a daily oral vitamin K1 supplement (100ug, Milusan®). Milk intake was evaluated by 24 hour testweighing and vitamin K1 concentration in milk was measured employing the HPLC-technique. Vitamin K, intake was similar in the two groups and no influence of age was detected. (Tab., intake in ug/d).However, vitamin K1 intake of all infants was substantially below the RDI value of 10ug/day. (Am.J.Clin.Nutr;1987;45;687-92). Therefore low vitamin K intake with breastmilk might be responsible for late onset vitamin K deficiency in some infants.