[Effect of vitamin K2 syrup in neonatal hypoprothrombinemia].

To clarify whether vitamin-K prophylaxis in newborns is effective, a double-blind study with oral vitamin-K2 syrup was performed. There were no side-effects. Various dosages of vitamin K2 or placebo syrup were tried in 148 newborns with thrombotest results below 20%. The efficiency decreased as follows: vit-K2 6 mg greater than vit-K2 2 mg greater than vit-K1 2 mg greater than placebo. The effect of all vitamin K preparations on the coagulation system was significantly different from the placebo effect. With regard to our own results and the literature, general vitamin-K prophylaxis for newborns is not recommended. However, vitamin K 1 X 6 mg orally is helpful in newborns with thrombotest results below 20%, in infants at risk, and in all premature, dystrophic or otherwise underweight infants.