What is Vitamin K Deficiency?

Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that is important to bone and heart health, as well as blood clotting and brain function. A deficiency of vitamin K is rare in healthy adults due to its presence in a variety of common dietary sources, including green leafy vegetables, oils, and grains.

While newborn babies are particularly at risk, people of any age can develop a vitamin K deficiency, which may be triggered by a number of factors, including liver disease, malnutrition, and as a consequence of taking certain prescription drugs.^[1]

Vitamin K deficiency is quite rare in infants today because vitamin K prophylaxis is routinely given to babies at birth in many parts of the world. The deficiency is more common in infants who are completely breastfed, as baby milk formula generally contains supplementary vitamin K.^[2]

The main symptoms of a vitamin K deficiency include bruising easily and excess bleeding.

A nutritionally balanced diet is normally sufficient to prevent vitamin K deficiency. If a deficiency of vitamin K does develop, it can usually be treated effectively if detected early.

Vitamin K deficiency symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a vitamin K deficiency include:^[2][3]

• Excessive bleeding, e.g. from a cut, wound, injection or puncture
• Easy bruising
• Heavy menstrual bleeding

If you think that you or a loved one might have signs of vitamin K deficiency, Please check with your doctor Find my Doctor to find out more about your symptoms.

Symptoms of vitamin K deficiency in infants

Infants are at an increased risk of developing a vitamin K deficiency until they begin to eat regular foods, which will usually be around four to six months after birth.

Signs and symptoms that could indicate vitamin K deficiency in babies include:^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

• Bruising, especially around the head or face
• Bleeding episodes, e.g. around the belly button, nose and mouth, penis if circumcised and at vaccination sites
• Paleness, which may be noticeable in the gums of darker-skinned infants
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes, occurring three or more weeks after birth, distinct from newborn jaundice, which typically clears by the time the baby is two weeks old^[9]
• Stool that is bloody, dark or sticky like tar
• Blood in the urine or vomit
• Irritability
• Excessive tiredness or sleepiness

Good to know: If any of these signs and symptoms occur or there is any suspicion of a vitamin K deficiency, urgent medical attention should be sought.

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB)

Infants with a vitamin K deficiency are susceptible to vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), also known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, a rare condition that stems from the blood being unable to clot.^[5]

The bleeding can occur anywhere in the body, including internally, for example in the gastrointestinal tract, and brain. Bleeding into the brain is particularly common with late-onset VKDB.

If bleeding is internal, it can be extremely difficult to notice and may lead to serious complications and even death. Signs are not always obvious and may be mistaken for other conditions.^[4][6]

VKDB is classified as one of three types according to when it develops:^[5][10]

• Early-onset VKDB, which develops within 24 hours of the infant being born
• Classic-onset VKDB, which develops within 2-7 days of the infant being born
• Late-onset VKDB, which develops between two weeks and six months after birth, most commonly in babies who have not been given a vitamin K shot

In addition to the symptoms listed above, signs of VKDB in babies may include:^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

• Poor feeding
• Low weight or difficulty gaining weight

Good to know: Brain bleeds may cause seizures and frequent vomiting in a baby. There may also be a lump on the head that was not there before.

If any unusual symptoms are present or vitamin K deficiency is suspected, a medical professional should be contacted immediately.

To help prevent VKDB and other potential complications of low vitamin K levels, vitamin K is routinely given by injection or orally to all infants at birth, in many parts of the world.

Risk factors for VKDB

Factors that increase an infant’s chances of developing VKDB include:^[11]

• Breastfeeding. Children who are exclusively breastfed are roughly 20 times more likely to experience VKDB. This is due to the low levels of vitamin K in breast milk compared to formula milk, as well as the low levels of bacteria that help the body synthesize vitamin K. However, breastfeeding has many other benefits, and concern about vitamin K deficiency is no reason not to do it, as the routine administration of vitamin K to newborns significantly reduces the risk of VKDB.
• Pharmaceuticals. Certain medication taken by the mother can increase the chances of an infant developing VKDB. These include rifampicin, isoniazid, anticoagulants and anticonvulsant agents.
• Warm environments. Extended exposure to a warm environment can make late-developing VKDB more likely. Late-developing VKDB usually peaks at around 3-8 weeks.
• Liver disease. There is increased risk if an infant has an unsuspected liver disease, especially alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.
• Malabsorption. An inability to absorb vitamins due to factors and conditions such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease and long-lasting diarrhea.

Prevention and treatment of VKDB in infants

A vitamin K supplement should be given to the infant as soon as VKDB is suspected. In severe cases, fresh frozen plasma, a blood product containing coagulating properties, may also be administered. If an infant has lost a large amount of blood, a blood transfusion may also be necessary.

To help prevent VKDB from occurring, a vitamin K supplement in the form of phytonadione is routinely given, with parental permission, to infants after birth in many parts of the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom. It is sometimes called “the vitamin K shot”, but maybe administered orally. The procedure is considered safe by healthcare professionals.^{[1][4][12][13][14]}

Vitamin K deficiency causes and risk factors

A vitamin K deficiency can occur in people of any age, but newborn infants are particularly at risk. Vitamin K deficiency is most likely to result from a lack of vitamin K reaching the fetus before birth and the lack of vitamin K in breast milk.

Other risk factors for a vitamin K deficiency include:^[1][15]

• Liver disease
• Conditions that affect the body’s ability to absorb vitamin K, such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and tropical sprue
• Biliary tract disease
• Malnutrition
• Certain drugs, such as coumarin anticoagulants, cholestyramine, salicylates, rifampin and barbiturates

It should be emphasized that a vitamin K deficiency in healthy adults is rare due to the vitamin’s presence in a variety of food sources, notably green leafy vegetables, oils, and grains.

Vitamin K deficiency diagnosis

Diagnosing a deficiency of vitamin K will typically begin with a physical examination by a doctor.

If a deficiency is suspected, the next stage of diagnosis will normally be blood tests. A blood test can reveal the level of prothrombin, a clotting agent in the blood, which will be lower than average in the case of a vitamin K deficiency.

However, as low levels of prothrombin can also be symptomatic of other conditions, the diagnosis will generally be confirmed with a vitamin K injection. If symptoms subside following the injection, the diagnosis of vitamin K deficiency can be confirmed.^[16]

If you think that you or a loved one might have a vitamin K deficiency, start a free symptom assessment using the Adoctor conditions and symptoms.

Vitamin K deficiency prevention

Most healthy adults are able to prevent a deficiency of vitamin K by maintaining a diet containing foodstuffs that are rich in the vitamin, such as:

• Green leafy vegetables, such as kale, chard, watercress and spinach
• Oils, such as olive, cottonseed and soya bean
• Grains, such as rye grain, spelt and buckwheat

In some cases, a vitamin K supplement may be recommended for those at risk of developing a vitamin K deficiency.

Vitamin K deficiency treatment

The appropriate treatment method for a vitamin K deficiency depends on the severity of the condition, particularly the severity of the associated bleeding, and its underlying cause.

If bleeding reaches life-threatening levels, fresh frozen plasma will be administered. In other cases, or after the fresh frozen plasma has been administered, a vitamin K supplement will be administered to the person, usually intravenously or into the muscle.^[1][17]

Vitamin K deficiency FAQs

Other terms associated with vitamin K deficiency

• Low vitamin K
• VKDB
• Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn

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1. Patient. “Vitamin K Deficiency.” February 11, 2014. Accessed November 10, 2017. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

2. MSD Manual. “Vitamin K.” September, 2016. Accessed November 10, 2017. ↩ ↩

3. Lab Tests Online. “Vitamin K Deficiency.” July 23, 2014. Accessed November 10, 2017. ↩

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Facts about Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding.” September 15, 2017. Accessed November 10, 2017. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

5. Healthline. “Hemorrhagic Disease of Newborn.” May 11, 2016. Accessed August 9, 2018. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

6. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. “Vitamin K deficiency bleeding presenting as impending brain herniation.” 2010. Accessed September 20, 2018. ↩ ↩ ↩

7. KidsHealth. “Vitamin K.” January 19, 2017. Accessed September 20, 2018. ↩ ↩

8. Stanford Children’s Health. “Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn).” Accessed September 20, 2018. ↩ ↩

9. NHS Choices. “Newborn jaundice.” October 13, 2015. Accessed March 7, 2018. ↩

10. MedlinePlus. “Vitamin K deficiency bleeding of the newborn.” August 2, 2018. Accessed August 10, 2018. ↩

11. Patient. “Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding.” February 11, 2014. Accessed November 20, 2017. ↩

12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Vitamin K and the Vitamin K Shot Given at Birth.” December 5, 2017. Accessed March 6, 2018. ↩

13. National Childbirth Trust. “Vitamin K: Injection or oral dose for newborns.” Accessed March 6, 2018. ↩

14. Better Health Channel. “Vitamin K and newborn babies.” June, 2011. Accessed March 6, 2018. ↩

15. Healthline. “Understanding Vitamin K Deficiency.” June 21, 2017. Accessed August 10, 2018. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

16. MD Guidelines. “Vitamin K Deficiency.” Accessed November 10, 2017. ↩

17. Medscape. “Vitamin K Deficiency Treatment & Management.” September 27, 2017. Accessed November 13, 2017. ↩

18. MedlinePlus. “Vitamin K.” March 1, 2018. Accessed August 10, 2018. ↩ ↩

**What is Vitamin K Deficiency?**



**What is Vitamin K?**



Vitamin⁤ K ⁣is ‌a group of fat-soluble vitamins that play a crucial role in various physiological processes, primarily in blood clotting. There are two main forms of vitamin ⁢K:



* **Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone):** Found in green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli.

*⁢ **Vitamin K2 (menaquinones):**​ Produced by gut bacteria ‍and obtained from animal products like cheese and eggs.



**What Causes Vitamin K Deficiency?**



Vitamin K deficiency can occur due to:



* Malabsorption disorders, ⁢such as celiac disease and Crohn’s disease

* Prolonged antibiotic use, as antibiotics can kill gut bacteria that produce⁣ vitamin K2

* Conditions that interfere with bile flow, as bile is ⁣necessary for vitamin K absorption

* Liver disease, as the liver is involved in vitamin K metabolism

* Use of blood thinners like warfarin, which interfere with vitamin K’s作用



**Symptoms of Vitamin⁣ K Deficiency**



The most‍ common symptom of vitamin K deficiency is bleeding, which ⁣can manifest as:



* Easy bruising

* Nosebleeds

* Heavy‌ menstrual periods

* Prolonged ⁢bleeding after injuries



**Diagnosis of Vitamin K Deficiency**



Vitamin K deficiency can‌ be diagnosed‍ through blood tests that measure:



* Prothrombin time (PT) or international normalized ratio⁣ (INR): These tests assess the blood’s clotting ability.



**Treatment ‌of Vitamin K Deficiency**



Treatment involves restoring adequate vitamin K intake through:



* **Oral vitamin K supplements:** ​Prescribed to correct deficiency and improve clotting function.

* **Intravenous (IV) vitamin ‌K:** Administered in ⁣severe bleeding cases to quickly replenish vitamin K levels.



**Prevention of Vitamin K​ Deficiency**



Prevention strategies include:



* Maintaining a healthy diet rich⁢ in leafy ​green vegetables

* Consuming fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, which contain vitamin K2

* Avoiding prolonged use of antibiotics

* Getting regular blood testing to monitor vitamin ​K levels



**Additional Information**



* Vitamin K deficiency⁣ is rare in healthy ⁢individuals who consume a balanced diet.

* Infants require vitamin K ‍injections at birth to prevent hemorrhagic⁢ disease of the newborn.

* Vitamin​ K‍ is important⁢ for bone health and calcium absorption.

* Excessive vitamin K intake can lead to toxicity, but ‌this ⁤is uncommon.