Newborn Vitamin K administration linked to higher cancer rate for 1-6 year old children

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Newborn Vitamin K administration linked to higher cancer rate for 1-6

year old children

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, 316:189-193, Jan 17, 1998

In this study of over 4000 children, published in the British Medical

Journal (1998), scientists did not identify an increased risk for

" all " child cancers for infants given Vitamin-K injections. However,

when scientists went one step further and investigated individual

types of cancer, they did in fact find an increased risk for the

cancer lymphoblastic leukemia. The study compared cancer rates for

infants born in hospitals where all children received Vitamin-K to

hospitals where only one-third of infants received Vitamin-K.

CHEM-TOX COMMENT: Vitamin K administration is often given to

newborns under the premise that it is important in reducing the risk

of hemorrhagic disease (excessive bleeding). Because of previous

studies showing genetic damage occurring in blood cells of animals

given vitamin-K, there has been concern that negative effects could

occur in children given Vitamin-K. A number of follow up studies

looking for increased cancer risk in children given Vitamin-K have

been conducted with the majority showing no increased

risk. However, these studies have investigated " overall " cancer

risk, thereby diluting potential to identify increases in specific

cancers. This particular study, which investigated specific child

cancers, was in fact able to identify an increased cancer risk for

lymphoblastic leukemia. Since risk for excessive bleeding in

newborns is higher for mothers taking certain prescription

medications dudring pregnancy - studies need to be conducted to

determine if beneficial effects of Vitamin-K are significant for

mothers who are not taking these specific prescription medications

during pregnancy.

Sir Spence Institute of Child Health

University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England