History

The clinical manifestations of vitamin K (VK) deficiency are evident only if hypoprothrombinemia is present. Bleeding is the major symptom, especially in response to minor or trivial trauma. Any site can be involved, so manifestations can include mucosal and subcutaneous bleeding, such as epistaxis, hematoma, gastrointestinal bleeding, menorrhagia, hematuria, gum bleeding, and oozing from venipuncture sites. Easy bruisability also is observed.^[20]

Physical Examination

Ecchymosis, petechiae, hematomas, and oozing of blood at surgical or puncture sites are observed. In infants, some birth defects, such as underdevelopment of the face, nose, bones, and fingers, are linked to a VK-deficient state. Infants may present with nontraumatic intracranial bleeding with signs such as vomiting, poor intake, anemia, seizures, and bleeding in mucosal sites.

Complications

The characteristics of vitamin K (VK) deficiency vary according to the age of onset. In infants, its deficiency causes hemorrhagic disease of newborn, resulting in intracranial and retroperitoneal bleeding, which can occur at 1-7 days postpartum. Late hemorrhagic disease of newborn can occur as late as 3 months postpartum. (See Presentation and Workup.)^{[21, 22]}

Because VK is involved in gamma carboxylation of osteocalcin, which is important in bone synthesis, osteoporosis is associated with VK deficiency.^{[23, 24, 25]} Osteocalcin is important in the remodeling and mineralization of bone.

Differential Diagnoses

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Author

Dieu-Thu Nguyen-Khoa, MD, FACP Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine; Physician Specialist, Department of Primary Care and Community Medicine, ValleyCare Olive View-UCLA Medical Center

Dieu-Thu Nguyen-Khoa, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Pankaj Patel, MD Fellow, Department of Gastroenterology, Winthrop University Hospital and The School of Medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center

Pankaj Patel, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mageda Mikhail, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, The School of Medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center

Mageda Mikhail, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

George T Griffing, MD Professor Emeritus of Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

George T Griffing, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Physician Leadership, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Medical Practice Executives, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, Central Society for Clinical and Translational Research, Endocrine Society, International Society for Clinical Densitometry, Southern Society for Clinical Investigation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Hampton Roy, Sr, MD † Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy, Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP Professor of Endocrinology, Director of Training Program, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Strelitz Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, and Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Vitamin K Deficiency Clinical Presentation

History

Physical Examination

Complications

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