Vitamin K Deprivation: Causes, Signs, and Remedies
Vitamin K, an essential nutrient for blood clotting and bone health, can sometimes become deficient in adults and newborn babies. Here's a closer look at the common causes, symptoms, and prevention methods for vitamin K deficiency.
In adults, vitamin K deficiency is most often linked to malabsorption syndromes, certain medications, and liver or biliary diseases that affect fat digestion and vitamin K uptake. The common causes include inadequate dietary intake of vitamin K-rich foods, drugs that interfere with vitamin K metabolism or absorption, and conditions such as hepatobiliary dysfunction, inflammatory bowel diseases, short bowel syndrome, chronic diarrhea, and alterations of gut microbiota due to prolonged antibiotic use.
The deficiency manifests primarily through impaired blood clotting and increased bleeding risk. If a person develops a vitamin K deficiency, a healthcare provider will typically administer a vitamin K supplement called phytonadione, usually orally but with injections available if the person's body is less able to absorb the supplement by mouth. Diagnosis of a vitamin K deficiency in adults may involve a coagulation test called the prothrombin time or PT test.
In contrast, newborn babies are more prone to vitamin K deficiency due to low levels of vitamin K in breast milk, inefficient liver use of vitamin K, inability to produce vitamin K2 in the first few days of life, and immature gut function. This deficiency in infants, known as vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), can increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
To prevent vitamin K deficiency, a diet high in foods that contain vitamin K can be beneficial. High-vitamin K foods include green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, some fruits, meat, cheese, eggs, chickpeas, soybeans, green tea, and supplements. A vitamin K shot is important for newborns as it can protect against problems such as intracranial hemorrhage, brain damage, and infant death.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that newborns receive a single shot of vitamin K1 at birth, especially if they are premature, their mothers use certain medications, or they have gastrointestinal or liver diseases. It's worth noting that both vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone) produce proteins that aid in blood clotting, with vitamin K1 found in leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale, and vitamin K2 found in animal-based foods, fermented foods, and also produced by the intestine.
For most adults, an adequate supply of vitamin K is obtained through their diets and natural production by the body. The daily recommended intake of vitamin K for adults is 120 mcg for males and 90 mcg for females. However, conditions associated with fat malabsorption, such as celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, intestinal or biliary tract disorders, and having had part of the intestine removed, can increase the risk of vitamin K deficiency.
In conclusion, maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamin K-containing foods, being aware of potential risk factors, and consulting a healthcare provider when necessary can help individuals prevent vitamin K deficiency and ensure overall health and wellbeing.
Vitamin K deficiencies in adults are commonly linked to malabsorption syndromes, certain medications, liver or biliary diseases, inadequate dietary intake, drugs interfering with vitamin K metabolism, inflammatory bowel diseases, and prolonged antibiotic use. In contrast, newborn babies are more prone to vitamin K deficiency due to low levels of vitamin K in breast milk, inefficient liver use, inability to produce vitamin K2, and immature gut function. To prevent deficiencies, a diet rich in high-vitamin K foods, such as green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, fruits, meat, cheese, eggs, chickpeas, soybeans, green tea, and supplements, is beneficial. A vitamin K shot is important for newborns to protect against problems like intracranial hemorrhage and infant death. Healthcare providers may administer phytonadione, a vitamin K supplement, for adults with deficiencies, and diagnosis can involve a coagulation test. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a single shot of vitamin K1 at birth for newborns, especially those who are premature, use certain medications, or have gastrointestinal or liver diseases. Maintaining a balanced diet, being aware of potential risk factors, and consulting a healthcare provider can help individuals prevent vitamin K deficiency and ensure overall health and wellness.
