Nutrition Diet and What are the symptoms of K disease? Answering the question on Vitamin K Deficiency

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the CDC, Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) is a preventable condition, yet it can be life-threatening for newborns who do not receive a vitamin K shot at birth. For many, the phrase 'What are the symptoms of K disease?' refers to the signs of this essential nutrient's deficiency.

Quick Summary

This article explores the symptoms, causes, and treatment of Vitamin K deficiency in both adults and infants. It clarifies that 'K disease' is typically a colloquial term for this nutritional issue and provides key insights into diagnosis and prevention.

Key Points

Bleeding is the main symptom: Vitamin K deficiency primarily causes excessive bleeding and easy bruising due to its role in blood clotting.
Newborns are at high risk: Infants are born with very low vitamin K levels and are susceptible to Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) without a preventive injection at birth.
Adults at risk have underlying issues: In adults, deficiency is often caused by malabsorption disorders, specific medications like anticoagulants or antibiotics, or chronic illness rather than diet alone.
Diagnosis is done via blood tests: Doctors diagnose the condition using a prothrombin time (PT) blood test, which measures how long it takes for blood to clot.
Treatment involves supplementation: The deficiency is typically treated with vitamin K supplements, often in the form of phytonadione, given orally or via injection.
Dietary intake helps prevention: A balanced diet rich in leafy green vegetables, and consumed with some fat for absorption, can help prevent deficiency.

The Crucial Role of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient vital for many bodily functions, most notably for blood coagulation, or clotting. It is necessary for the liver to produce specific proteins called clotting factors (Factors II, VII, IX, and X). Without enough Vitamin K, the body cannot form clots effectively, leading to excessive or uncontrolled bleeding. While many associate 'K disease' with this deficiency, it's a specific nutritional disorder, not a broadly defined medical illness. The two main forms of vitamin K are K1 (phylloquinone), found in plants, and K2 (menaquinones), produced by bacteria in the gut.

Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency in Adults

Vitamin K deficiency is rare in healthy adults who eat a balanced diet, as the gut produces some and leafy greens provide ample amounts. However, certain conditions or medications can lead to a deficiency. The primary symptom is excessive bleeding.

Common signs in adults may include:

Easy bruising: Small bumps or minor injuries can result in large, dark bruises.
Mucosal bleeding: This includes frequent and spontaneous nosebleeds or bleeding from the gums.
Excessive bleeding: This can occur from minor cuts, wounds, or needle punctures, or manifest as heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia).
Gastrointestinal bleeding: Look for blood in the urine (hematuria) or stools, which may appear tarry and black.
Subungual hemorrhage: Small streaks of blood under the fingernails.

Risk factors for adults:

Malabsorption issues: Conditions like cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, or Crohn's disease that impair fat absorption can hinder vitamin K uptake.
Certain medications: Anticoagulants like warfarin, some antibiotics (especially cephalosporins), and anticonvulsant drugs can interfere with vitamin K metabolism.
Chronic illness: Conditions affecting the liver or kidneys, as well as malnutrition and chronic alcoholism, can be contributing factors.

Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in Infants

Newborns are particularly vulnerable to vitamin K deficiency because they are born with very low levels, and breast milk contains minimal amounts. For this reason, a vitamin K injection is routinely administered to infants at birth to prevent VKDB. Signs of VKDB can be subtle and difficult to detect.

Symptoms in infants can include:

Bleeding from the umbilical cord or circumcision site.
Jaundice: A yellowing of the skin and eyes, which can appear several weeks after birth.
Pale skin: A paler than usual complexion, indicating blood loss.
Irritability and seizures: These are potential signs of intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain), a life-threatening complication.
Gastrointestinal bleeding: Dark, sticky, or bloody stools and vomiting blood are serious indicators.

Causes of VKDB in infants:

Low prenatal transfer: Only a small amount of vitamin K passes from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy.
Low content in breast milk: While beneficial in other ways, breast milk is a poor source of vitamin K.
Sterile gut at birth: A newborn's intestinal tract is not yet populated with the bacteria that produce vitamin K2.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitamin K Deficiency

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose vitamin K deficiency by first assessing a patient's risk factors and symptoms. A key diagnostic tool is a coagulation test called the prothrombin time (PT) test, often reported as an International Normalized Ratio (INR). A prolonged PT/elevated INR indicates that the blood is taking longer than normal to clot. For infants, in addition to the PT/INR test, doctors may measure levels of proteins induced in vitamin K absence (PIVKA-II).

Treatment

The standard treatment for vitamin K deficiency is supplementation with phytonadione, a form of vitamin K1. For non-emergency cases, this may be given orally. In severe cases or for individuals with malabsorption issues, it can be administered via injection. For newborns, the initial preventative shot is highly effective. In cases of severe bleeding in infants, fresh frozen plasma may also be required.

The Role of Diet in Vitamin K Levels

Including vitamin K-rich foods in your diet is the best way to maintain healthy levels and prevent deficiency. For better absorption, it's recommended to consume these foods with some healthy fats.

High vitamin K foods include:

Leafy Greens: Kale, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, and parsley are excellent sources.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage contain good amounts.
Other sources: Vegetable oils (soybean and canola), soybeans, fish, liver, meat, eggs, and certain fermented foods also provide vitamin K.

Comparison of Vitamin K Deficiency in Adults vs. Infants


Feature	Adult Vitamin K Deficiency	Infant Vitamin K Deficiency (VKDB)
Prevalence	Rare in healthy individuals with balanced diets; often linked to underlying medical conditions or medication.	Relatively common in newborns, especially breastfed infants who do not receive a prophylactic injection.
Primary Cause	Malabsorption disorders, use of specific medications (e.g., warfarin, certain antibiotics), chronic illness, or malnutrition.	Low vitamin K transfer from mother to fetus, low levels in breast milk, and a sterile gut at birth.
Key Symptoms	Easy bruising, mucosal bleeding (nose/gums), GI bleeding, excessive bleeding from cuts, heavy menstrual bleeding.	Bleeding from the umbilical cord, circumcision site, or nose; GI bleeding; jaundice; irritability; seizures.
Severity	Can lead to dangerous bleeding if untreated, but generally treatable.	Can lead to life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage if not identified and treated promptly.
Prevention	Maintaining a balanced diet rich in leafy greens and managing any underlying conditions or medications.	Routine intramuscular vitamin K injection administered shortly after birth.

Conclusion

Understanding what the symptoms of 'K disease' are means recognizing the signs of Vitamin K deficiency. This condition, primarily affecting blood clotting, presents differently across age groups. While rare in healthy adults, it is a significant risk for newborns, who are routinely protected by a prophylactic injection. Timely diagnosis, confirmed through blood tests like the PT/INR, allows for effective treatment with vitamin K supplementation. Incorporating a diet rich in vitamin K and managing any underlying medical conditions is crucial for prevention and maintaining overall health. If you suspect you or a loved one has a deficiency, seeking immediate medical advice is essential to avoid serious complications.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term 'K disease' is a common but imprecise way to refer to Vitamin K deficiency, particularly because the vitamin's symbol is K. It is not a formal medical diagnosis but rather a colloquial phrase used to describe the condition and its bleeding-related symptoms.

Yes, especially in newborns with Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). If left untreated, bleeding can occur in the brain, leading to permanent brain damage or even death. In adults, severe untreated cases can also lead to life-threatening hemorrhage.

Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is found in leafy green plants, while Vitamin K2 (menaquinones) is produced by bacteria in the intestinal tract. Both are important for health, particularly blood clotting and bone health.

For infants, diagnosis involves assessing bleeding symptoms and performing blood coagulation tests like the prothrombin time (PT) test. Some labs also measure PIVKA-II, a protein that is elevated in cases of deficiency.

Side effects from oral Vitamin K at recommended dosages are rare. In rare cases, intravenous administration can cause an anaphylactic reaction. It is important to consult a doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you take blood thinners.

Certain medications can interfere with Vitamin K absorption or metabolism. These include anticoagulants (like warfarin), specific antibiotics (cephalosporins), and some anti-seizure medications.

To increase dietary intake, focus on foods rich in Vitamin K1, such as kale, spinach, and broccoli. Since it is fat-soluble, eating these foods with a small amount of fat, like olive oil, can enhance absorption.