Tag: Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn

In 1934, Danish biochemist Henrik Dam discovered a fat-soluble vitamin in chicks that prevented severe bleeding, leading to its identification and naming as 'koagulationsvitamin,' or vitamin K. It is known as the anti-hemorrhage vitamin for its essential function in synthesizing the proteins required for blood coagulation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infants who do not receive a vitamin K shot at birth are 81 times more likely to develop Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). The deficiency disease of vitamin K is primarily characterized by impaired blood clotting, with the most severe manifestations seen in newborns and infants.

In the United States, routine intramuscular administration of vitamin K has made vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in newborns an uncommon occurrence. For those concerned about nutrition diet, understanding **what is deficiency of vitamin K called?** is crucial, especially for newborns who don't receive prophylaxis and adults with certain health conditions.