Comparative study of vitamin K dependent clotting factors in normal breast and formula fed infants

This study was carried on fourth-four normal healthy Egyptian newborns. Twenty-two were exclusively breast fed and the other twenty-two were formula fed. No one received vitamin K after birth. Vitamin K dependent clotting factors [II, VII, IX and X] and clotting times [prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and thrombin test] were estimated between seventh and eleventh day of life. Results revealed that there was no difference in vitamin K dependent clotting factors and clotting times between breast fed and formula fed newborns. Clotting factors were around 50% of normal adult control. Clotting times were longer in both groups than normal adult control. This study proves that breast milk can supply sufficient amount of vitamin K and hemorrhagic disease of the newborn with respect to breast feeding varies form area to another depending on social, economic, geographical and temporal differences