Résumé
To determine whether low-dose of vitamin k[1] konakion MM] in newborns is as effective as intramuscular injection, resulting in normal adult plasma of vitamin k1, normal International Normalized Ratio [INR]. Term, breast-fed newborns recruited by a doctor before delivery by interview using a clearly written information sheet and signed consent. On day O infants received 250ug konakion MM orally in two equally divided doses. The midwife was then supplied with a 250 ug dose to be given at the 5-6th day. Mothers and infants re-attended the hospital between days 27-29 for blood to be obtained for further analysis [Plasma vitamin k, PIVKA II, International Normalized Ratio]. At the same visit, infants received a further 250ug dose which was repeated every 4-5 weeks for another 4-5 doses. Vitamin k1 as konakion MM given orally in two small doses of 125ug on the first day of life and 250ug on the fifth day was associated with mean plasma level of vitamin k1 at four weeks that were similar or higher than normal adult values