Understanding Vitamin K deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Vitamin K deficiency

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

General

Vitamin K has two main kinds. K1 is found mostly in leafy green vegetables while K2 is created in the intestinal tract. Both share the same role in blood clotting- which is the process that prevents excessive bleeding. The liver makes a few proteins which make up clotting factors from vitamin K. The most common sign for vitamin K deficiency is bleeding.Vitamin K deficiency is rare in adults, but can be caused due to drug use (warfarin, antibiotics), fat malabsorption conditions such as celiac disease, biliary tract disorders or cystic fibrosis, and by eating a diet that is very low on vitamin K. In children the condition is more common, as breast milk is low in vitamin K, their liver does not produce enough on its own and it does not pass through the placenta.

11 people with Vitamin K deficiency

Learn from others who are experiencing Vitamin K deficiency.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include easy bruising, small blood clots under the nails, bleeding in mucous membranes such as the mouth, and dark black stool. Babies who have it may bleed from the area where the umbilical cord was removed, membranes, gastrointestinal tract, penis after circumcision, and brain.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing vitamin K deficiency starts with medical history and a physical examination. Then, a coagulation test called prothrombin time may be performed, to measure the time it takes for blood to clot.

Treatment

Treatment for vitamin K deficiency is by a drug called phytonadione, which is vitamin K1.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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