Vitamin K deficiency: a case report and review of current guidelines

Abstract Background Vitamin K, a fat soluble vitamin, is a necessary cofactor for the activation of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X, and protein C and S. In neonatal period, vitamin K deficiency may lead to Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). Case presentation We present the case of a 2 months...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maria Rosaria Marchili, Elisa Santoro, Alessandra Marchesi, Simona Bianchi, Lelia Rotondi Aufiero, Alberto Villani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-03-01
Series:Italian Journal of Pediatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13052-018-0474-0
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Vitamin K, a fat soluble vitamin, is a necessary cofactor for the activation of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X, and protein C and S. In neonatal period, vitamin K deficiency may lead to Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). Case presentation We present the case of a 2 months and 20 days Caucasian male, presented for bleeding from the injections sites of vaccines. At birth oral vitamin K prophylaxis was administered. Neonatal period was normal. He was exclusively breastfed and received a daily oral supplementation with 25 μg of vitamin K. A late onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding was suspected. Intravenous Vitamin K was administered with complete recovery. Conclusions Nevertheless the oral prophylaxis, our case developed a VKDB: it is necessary to revise the current guidelines in order to standardize timing and dosage in different clinical conditions.
ISSN:1824-7288