Hawkesbury Independent IND 145 June 2022 | Page 23

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Are breast-fed infant ’ s vitamin K deficient and if so , why ?

with Andreas Klein
Vitamin K deficiency bleeding disorder ( VKDB ) is common in newborns with dire consequences for severe cases :
1 . intracranial haemorrhage , 50 per cent 2 . a 20 per cent mortality rate 3 . persistent neurologic impairment for surviving babies Risk of newborn-VKDB is increased for :
1 . Babies of mothers using a . warfarin b . certain anti-seizure medications such as carbamazepine and heparin anticonvulsants though this is still debated or c . antibiotic rifampicin for tuberculosis d . mothers who have undergone bariatric surgery for weightloss
2 . Babies suffering a . diarrhoea , coeliac disease , cystic fibrosis , or liver disease with cholestasis – who cannot absorb vitamin K b . liver disease that affects vitamin K utilisation
Since most mothers and newborns do not fall into these categories , why is VKDB so common ?
Paediatricians recommend breast feeding . Yet the cause of VKDB is clearly inadequate maternal vitamin K intake pre / during pregnancy , leading to deficiency of vitamin K during pregnancy and in breast milk .
To illustrate this point , when routine
vitamin K injections are not given at birth ,
VKBD is present in : 1 . 5 / 105 new-borns ( Western Europe ) 2 . 11 / 105 ( Japan ) 3 . 72 / 105 ( Thailand ) A study by Greer ( 2001 ) supports this . For six months , researchers followed 119 fully breast-fed infants , who had received a 1mg Vitamin K injection at birth , taking blood samples at 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 12 , and 26 weeks .
Research found that despite receiving their vitamin K injection at birth , these babies had ‘ persistently low vitamin K1 plasma concentrations ’ in all samples from the four-week mark onward .
Mothers ’ vitamin K1 blood levels were also extremely down , due to low intake . Researchers then measured PIVKA , a marker for vitamin K sufficiency , in cord-blood of 156 full-term new-born infants , finding half of babies suffered from significantly low vitamin K levels . Finally , the mothers of these infants were found to be eating :
1 . Just-equal-to or below the 60 µ g / day RDI for Vitamin K1 , as it stood in 2005 .
2 . 33 per cent below the 90 µ g / day RDI as currently recommended by Harvard University
3 . 76 per cent below the 250μg / day required to prevent osteoporosis according to the Framingham study
The authors recommended higher intakes of vitamin K for pregnant and lactating mothers , suggesting lactating mothers supplement vitamin K1 at 5 mg / day to increase breast-milk levels to 80ng / mL , thus significantly increasing infant blood vitamin K .
The intake of vitamin K required for optimal function of all vitamin K-dependent proteins is still unknown . Given the prevalence of VKDB it seems highly likely most mothers are not eating the right foods to meet babies ’ vitamin K1 requirements .
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SUFFERING constant BACK PAIN ? Want to ENJOY LIFE again ?

Work & play like you used to after just a few sessions !
I ’ ve personally developed this technique after 16 years experience :

MOVE

TOLIVE

Greater West Exercise Physiology SOUTH WINDSOR Tuesday 10.30am / Thursday 10.30am Cost is $ 5 per session Unit 5 / 74 Mileham Street South Windsor
North Richmond Neighbourhood Centre NORTH RICHMOND Cost is $ 5 per session 33 William Street North Richmond
For information on attending the Move To Live Seniors Exercise program please contact 0404 871 484
If you would like to learn how to eat better for pregnancy , why not give us a call at the clinic ? Beautiful Health Wellness on 0418 166 269 .
Suitable exercise program for 50years + focusing on strength , balance and falls prevention .
Exercise program is delivered by health professionals and caters for all fitness levels . Walking aids are welcomed .
Bligh Park Community Centre BLIGH PARK Cost is $ 5 per session Tiningi Hall 139 Colonial Drive Bligh Park
Richmond Uniting Church RICHMOND Cost is $ 5 per session 25 West Market Street Richmond
Andreas Klein Nutritionist & Remedial Therapist
BSc , Adv Dip Nut Med , DRM

FREE OFFER !

If you ’ re sick of being in constant back pain CALL NOW for your FREE 30min Assessment Session !
Valued at $ 55
“ After years of severe back pain I ’ m now enjoying golf , fully pain free and even started brick-laying again !” John Hasler , Glenmore Park
“ I ’ d given up really - I ’ d tried so many things . In just a couple of sessions the pain and muscle spasms had gone . I ’ d recommend your work to anyone .” Craig Gibson , Richmond
Remedial Muscle Elongation Therapy targets the cause of chronic back pain and inflammation to really eliminate them . This technique works well for shoulders and knees too !

Call Andreas 0418 166 269

THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 145 // JUNE 2022 23