Vitamin K Deficiencies

Vitamin K acts as a cofactor for the addition do carboxyl groups on glutamic acid residues of the vitamin K-dependent clotting proteins.

Vitamin K deficiency is common among neonates in the first few days postpartum due to poor placental transfer of vitamin K and inadequate production of vitamin K producing intestinal flora.

Vitamin K deficiency is seen in a patient with malabsorption syndromes, such as pancreatitis, short bowel syndrome, sprue or small bowel states of bacterial overgrowth such as sometimes accompany use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Most patients with mild to moderate degrees of vitamin K deficiency do not have bleeding problems unless they undergo surgery or sustain trauma.

Vitamin K deficiency seldom results from insufficient dietary intake of this vitamin.

Dietary deficiencies of vitamin K can be easily replenished with daily oral supplementation of 5 to 10 mg. However, in a patients with malabsorption syndromes, the subcutaneous route to be considered.

The cardinal sign of vitamin deficiency is an abnormal bleeding tendency, accompanied by prolonged prothrombin time; these signs disappear with vitamin K administration.
Vitamin K Deficiencies