VITAMIN K DEFICIENCY

 

Vitamin K is an essential, lipid-soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in the production of coagulation proteins, is found in green, leafy vegetables and in oils, such as soybean, cottonseed, canola, and olive oils. Vitamin K deficiency (VK) is synthesized by colonic bacteria. Deficiency of such vitamin may cause hemorrhagic disease for newborn and jaundice. Vitamin K deficiency  is more often encountered by infants. Adults have low risk of having Vitamin K deficiency because of the wide variety of vegetables and other foods.

Poor diet is the main source of VK. An adult’s daily requirement has been estimated at 100-200 mcg/day. About 80-85% of VK is absorbed mainly in the terminal ileum into the lymphatic system; therefore, bile salts and normal fat absorption, as well as normal-functioning villi of the ileum, are necessary for the effective uptake of VK.

In adults, the causes of VK deficiency include the following :

  • Chronic illness
  • Malnutrition
  • Alcoholism
  • Multiple abdominal surgeries
  • Long-term parenteral nutrition
  • Malabsorption syndromes
  • Infectious diarrhea
  • Cholestatic disease
  • Parenchymal liver disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Drugs – Antibiotics (cephalosporin), cholestyramines, warfarin, salicylates, anticonvulsants, and certain sulfa drugs) are some of the common causes of VK deficiency
  • Massive transfusion
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) – Severe
  • Chronic kidney disease/hemodialysis

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]