[Perinatal influences on blood coagulation in healthy newborn infants with special reference to vitamin K administration].

In a prospective study the daily milk intake and weight gain were recorded in 169 healthy newborn infants during the first week of life. Factor II, V and VII activities were determined on the fourth day using a capillary blood method with hematocrit correction factor. Late onset of feeding showed a major influence on factor II and VII activities. In full-term newborns factor II was correlated to the birth weight. Mode of delivery, color of amniotic fluid, umbilical cord round the neck, Apgar score and postnatal vitamin K prophylaxis showed no significant influence. In infants with abnormal cardiotocographic findings higher levels of factor II were determined. This can be explained by stress-induced liver maturation.