1.
Vitamin K prior to preterm birth for preventing neonatal periventricular haemorrhage
Crowther CA, Crosby DD, Henderson-Smart DJ
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010;((1):):CD000229.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm infants are at risk of periventricular haemorrhage. This can be a sign of brain damage that might lead to neurodevelopmental abnormalities, including cerebral palsy. It has been suggested that vitamin K might improve coagulation in preterm infants and thereby decrease the risk of periventricular haemorrhage. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to assess the effects of vitamin K administered to women at risk of imminent very preterm birth to prevent periventricular haemorrhage and associated neurological injury in the infant. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 March 2008). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised or quasi-randomised trials of vitamin K administered parenterally or orally to women at risk of imminent preterm birth. The primary outcomes were neonatal mortality, neonatal neurological morbidity, as measured by the presence of periventricular haemorrhage (PVH) on ultrasound during the first week of life, and long-term neurodevelopment. Secondary outcomes included other neonatal morbidity and any maternal side effects. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed eligibility, trial quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS Seven trials were included, involving 607 women. The trials were of variable quality. Antenatal vitamin K was associated with a non-significant reduction in all grades of periventricular haemorrhage (risk ratio (RR) 0.76; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 1.06) and a significant reduction in severe PVH (grades 3 and 4) (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.91) for babies receiving prenatal vitamin K compared with control babies. When the two quasi-randomised trials were excluded, antenatal vitamin K was associated with a non-significant reduction in all grades of PVH (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.60 to 1.26) and a non-significant reduction in severe PVH (RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.49 to 1.36).There was an unfavourable effect of vitamin K on development as measured by the Bayley Mental Development Index at two years of age, however these results are derived from one trial with many participants lost to follow up. No difference was found in the incidence of other neurodevelopmental abnormalities at paediatric follow up at 18 to 24 months or seven years of age between children born to mothers given vitamin K and children not so exposed. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Vitamin K administered to women prior to very preterm birth has not been shown to significantly prevent periventricular haemorrhages in preterm infants or improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood. [References: 22]
2.
Antepartum vitamin K and phenobarbital for preventing intraventricular hemorrhage in the premature newborn: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Thorp JA, Parriott J, Ferrette-Smith D, Meyer BA, Cohen GR, Johnson J
Obstetrics & Gynecology. 1994;83((1):):70-6.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether antepartum phenobarbital and vitamin K reduce the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in premature newborns. METHODS Patients at imminent risk for spontaneous or indicated premature delivery between 24-34 weeks' gestation were randomized to receive either placebo or vitamin K and phenobarbital. All patients received betamethasone and antibiotics and were managed uniformly by a single perinatal group in one hospital. All newborns were managed uniformly in the same facility by a single neonatal group. RESULTS There was a nonsignificant reduction in all grades of intraventricular hemorrhage in the treatment group when compared to the placebo group (48.2 versus 38.3%; P > .05). Frequencies were reduced for severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grades 3 and 4) (6.0 versus 2.5%; P > .05) and mild intraventricular hemorrhage (grades 1 and 2) (42.2 versus 35.8%; P > .05). CONCLUSIONS Antepartum phenobarbital and vitamin K effected a nonsignificant reduction in both mild and severe intraventricular hemorrhage. The incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in our control group was significantly less than that observed in previous studies.
