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From: dubois@uwmacc.UUCP (Paul DuBois)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: The Circumcision Decision !!!
Message-ID: <926@uwmacc.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 19-Apr-85 10:42:54 EST
Article-I.D.: uwmacc.926
Posted: Fri Apr 19 10:42:54 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 21-Apr-85 03:30:18 EST
References: <decwrl.1350> <288@unc.UUCP> <905@uwmacc.UUCP>
Organization: UW-Madison Primate Center
Lines: 25

> > If you intend to circumcize your son, it may be better to wait
> > at least a few days.  I've heard that some newborns have problems
> > with blood clotting during the first few days after birth.
> > (That may be why Jews wait one week).
> 
> [Me]
> Vitamin K (blood clotting agent) hits its peak about 7 days after
> birth.

My statement above is not *quite* correct.  Vitamin K is synthesized in
the intestinal tract by bacteria.  The Vitamin K is then used by the
liver to make prothrombin, which is a plasma factor essential for blood
coagulation.  So, while K hits its peak then, it is not (directly) the
clotting agent.

Injections of Vitamin K are given to newborns to prevent 'hemorrhagic
disease of the newborn' - bleeding in the first few days after birth
which results from immature liver function and an inadequate supply of
blood platelets.

-- 
                                                                    |
Paul DuBois	{allegra,ihnp4,seismo}!uwvax!uwmacc!dubois        --+--
                                                                    |
"Danger signs, a creeping independence"                             |