Vitamin K deficiency is one of the hypovitaminoses. However, it occurs only rarely.
What is vitamin K deficiency?
Vitamin K deficiency is said to occur when not enough vitamin K is produced by the intestinal bacteria or ingested with food. The cause of the deficiency is usually certain diseases or a faulty diet. Vitamin K deficiency can also occur in babies, as their intestinal flora is not yet sufficiently developed and therefore cannot produce enough vitamin K. The mother’s milk also only contains enough vitamin K. The mother’s milk also only contains small amounts of vitamin K. This is why the newborns are given vitamin K supplements. For this reason, newborn children are given additional vitamin K.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in regulating human blood clotting. It is also important for the mineralization of bones. Most vitamin K can be obtained from green leafy vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce and spinach. Furthermore, it is contained in chicken meat, wheat germ and sunflower oil. In addition, the vitamin is produced in the body by intestinal bacteria. The daily vitamin K requirement of adults is between 0.03 and 1.5 µg per kilogram of body weight. In children, the daily requirement is greater at 10 µg per kilogram.
Causes
Vitamin K deficiency is most often caused by intestinal diseases. These cause the absorption of the vitamin to no longer function smoothly. Thus, the intestine is no longer able to absorb the vitamin from food, resulting in deficiency symptoms. In some cases, treatment with antibiotics can also be responsible for a vitamin K deficiency. For example, there is a risk that the intestinal bacteria may be affected by some antibiotics. In addition, the functions of the vitamin can also be disturbed by the antibiotic agents. Other causes of vitamin K deficiency include liver diseases that damage liver tissue, thinning of the blood due to the use of certain medications, or malnutrition. Other conditions that may be responsible for a vitamin K deficiency include prolonged alcohol abuse, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, cancer, or calcium deficiency. Vitamin K deficiency can have a particularly fatal effect on infants, as even minor deviations in vitamin K intake can have serious consequences for the health of the affected child.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
A deficiency of vitamin K causes impairment of the human blood clotting system. Thus, above a certain concentration, there is a risk of spontaneous bleeding. In the event of injury, there may even be significant blood loss. However, severe bleeding in all organs and tissues is also possible without external force. The bleeding is noticeable by pronounced bruises on the skin. Bleeding in the brain is likewise conceivable. Doctors call the symptoms of vitamin K deficiency in babies “haemorrhagic neonatal disease”, which means an increased tendency to bleed. In babies, the bleeding primarily shows up in the intestines, liver, lungs, abdomen, skin, mucosa and brain and varies in intensity. Furthermore, vitamin K deficiency results in a decrease in bone density. This increases the risk of bone fractures.
Diagnosis and disease progression
If vitamin K deficiency is suspected, a physician should be consulted. The physician will check for any changes that may result from the deficiency. In doing so, he or she also inquires about food habits and possible previous illnesses that cause vitamin K deficiency. In addition, the physician performs a thorough physical examination. To confirm the diagnosis, a blood sample is taken. In the process, the doctor records the time it takes for the blood to clot. If the clotting time is prolonged, this is considered an indication of vitamin K deficiency. In the further course, the doctor tries to find out the reason for the vitamin K deficiency by carrying out further examinations. It is also important to check for any additional deficiency symptoms. If the vitamin K deficiency is corrected by appropriate treatment, the disease usually takes a positive course. Without therapy, however, vitamin K deficiency in babies can have life-threatening consequences.
Complications
Vitamin K deficiency primarily affects blood clotting.People suffering from K-hypovitaminosis bruise more quickly, get nosebleeds or gum injuries. Bruising occurs mainly at the joints and is associated with pain and pressure sensitivity. In the long term, this can also lead to adhesions, scars and sensitivity disorders. An incipient deficiency also causes poor concentration and listlessness. Susceptibility to infections may also be increased, as well as pronounced fatigue and persistent headaches. Serious complications occur in the case of internal bleeding, for example gastric and intestinal ulcers or injuries. Then anemia and, in the worst case, bleeding to death can occur. Internal bleeding can also occur without cause in K-hypovitaminosis. Due to the impaired blood clotting, the smallest internal injuries then occur, which initially cause pain and can develop into serious complications if the deficiency continues. Taking vitamin K supplements can cause side effects. Some individuals complain of symptoms of poisoning, while others experience stomach pain, migraines and other complaints. Corresponding complications are to be expected especially in the case of uncontrolled intake of these agents. If K vitamins are administered intravenously, there is a risk of infection, injury to tissues, and wound healing problems after removal of the infusion bag.
When should you see a doctor?
In the case of vitamin K deficiency, the affected person should always see a doctor. The earlier the disease is diagnosed and treatment is initiated, the better the further course usually is, since this disease cannot heal on its own. The affected person should therefore contact a doctor at the first symptoms and signs in order to prevent further complications. A doctor should be consulted for vitamin K deficiency if the affected person suffers from a severe impairment of blood clotting. In this case, even minor cuts and injuries result in severe blood loss, as bleeding often does not stop. This can also lead to bleeding under the skin, which can be an indication of vitamin K deficiency. Likewise, the risk of bone fractures is greatly increased by this deficiency. If the affected person frequently injures himself and frequently suffers from bone fractures, a doctor should also be consulted. As a rule, vitamin K deficiency can be detected by a general practitioner. Further treatment is then carried out by taking medication that permanently alleviates the symptoms. However, the affected person should inform treating physicians of the vitamin K deficiency so that severe bleeding does not occur during examinations or during an ordinary butab.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of vitamin K deficiency depends on its triggering cause, which should always be addressed. For example, if intestinal diseases or liver diseases are responsible for the deficiency, patients receive appropriate medication. In addition, patients are given a sufficient amount of vitamin K until the deficiency is corrected. The vitamin is absorbed either through food or with vitamin preparations. In severe cases, injections of vitamin K are also possible. If other deficiency symptoms are present, these must also be treated accordingly. If the vitamin K deficiency is caused by blood thinning medication, the blood thinning medication is adjusted accordingly. If the vitamin K deficiency causes severe bleeding, the affected persons are given activated blood-clotting substances, which are administered via the vein. In this way, bleeding can be stopped and blood clotting can be restored to normal.
Prevention
To prevent babies from developing vitamin K deficiency in the first place, newborn infants in numerous countries are systematically given vitamin K during their first weeks of life. This approach is very important, as it is not easy for them to have an adequate supply of the vitamin, and a deficiency threatens to cause significant health problems.
Follow-up
After a corrected vitamin K deficiency, attention should be paid to a healthy diet rich in vitamin K. Vitamin-K1 is found mainly in green vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli) and vitamin-K2 in meat, eggs and dairy products.Since vitamin K poisoning is not possible in adult humans, these foods should be eaten in abundance even after vitamin K deficiency has been corrected. In this way, a renewed vitamin K deficiency can be avoided. When taking blood coagulants, however, care must be taken not to make the blood too thick. Otherwise, cardiovascular diseases can be the result. In addition, regular checks of the Quick and INR values in the blood should be carried out in order to be able to detect a renewed vitamin K deficiency at an early stage. These tests can be performed at home with blood meters available on prescription from pharmacies. However, if poor values are measured in the blood, a repeat visit to the doctor is essential. In addition, especially if medications are taken to increase the coagulation function of the blood, major check-ups should be performed at regular intervals by a general practitioner and, if necessary, a specialist. Patients should also pay attention to their bleeding tendency. If this is increased, a renewed vitamin K deficiency may be the cause.
What you can do yourself
Vitamin K deficiency can be corrected with medication and by changing the diet. For example, a sufficient amount of vitamin K is found in foods such as chives, spinach, calf’s liver, and cottage cheese. Affected individuals should also take in plenty of fluids and generally eat a balanced diet to stimulate the metabolism. If the deficiency persists, the doctor must be consulted. Typical symptoms such as fractures or persistent fatigue indicate a severe vitamin deficiency. The doctor must clarify the cause and, if necessary, prescribe a suitable dietary supplement. Regular intake should cause the deficiency to recede on its own. Since a vitamin K deficiency usually results from a disease, this must first be treated. In the case of alcoholism, therapy is necessary. Those affected should also consult a specialist who can prescribe effective supplements, since in most cases there is not only a vitamin K deficiency, but also a mineral and general vitamin deficiency. The intake of supplements or large quantities of the aforementioned foods should be done in consultation with the general practitioner or an internist. Otherwise, an overdose may occur, which is associated with various complications.
