What disease is caused by lack of vitamin K?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all infants are at a higher risk for Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) until they begin eating regular solid foods, typically around 4–6 months of age. This is the primary disease associated with a lack of vitamin K, though it can also lead to other complications in adults.

Quick Summary

The lack of vitamin K causes hemorrhagic disorders, most notably Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in infants, due to impaired blood clotting. While rare in healthy adults, deficiency can lead to easy bruising and bleeding and is linked to certain medical conditions and medications. Early detection and treatment are crucial for preventing severe complications.

Key Points

• VKDB is the key disease: Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) is the most significant disease caused by a lack of vitamin K, primarily affecting newborns and potentially causing life-threatening hemorrhage.

• Blood clotting is impaired: Vitamin K is crucial for activating clotting factors in the liver, so a deficiency leads to impaired blood coagulation.

• Infants are most at risk: Newborns have naturally low vitamin K stores and don't yet have the gut bacteria to produce it, making them highly susceptible to VKDB.

• Adult deficiency is linked to other conditions: In adults, deficiency is usually caused by fat malabsorption disorders, chronic antibiotic use, or taking blood-thinning medications, rather than poor diet alone.

• Prophylaxis is standard for newborns: A routine vitamin K injection is administered to all infants at birth to prevent VKDB effectively.

• Symptoms include easy bruising and bleeding: Common signs of deficiency include easy bruising, mucosal bleeding, and, in severe cases, dangerous internal bleeding.

The Core Problem: Impaired Blood Clotting

At its core, a severe lack of vitamin K causes the body to produce inactive or non-functional clotting factors, leading to potentially life-threatening bleeding. Vitamin K is an essential cofactor for the carboxylation of coagulation proteins, including factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X, as well as proteins C and S. Without sufficient vitamin K, these proteins cannot mature and function correctly, crippling the blood's ability to clot effectively.

The Disease in Newborns: Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB)

The most critical disease caused by a lack of vitamin K is Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), formerly known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Newborns are particularly susceptible for several reasons: limited placental transfer of vitamin K, low vitamin K content in breast milk, and a sterile gut that has not yet established the bacteria necessary to produce vitamin K2. Without prophylactic treatment, infants face a high risk of spontaneous bleeding that can occur anywhere in the body, including the brain.

VKDB is categorized into three types based on the time of onset:

• Early VKDB: Occurs within the first 24 hours of birth. It is often linked to the mother's use of certain medications, such as some anti-seizure drugs or isoniazid, during pregnancy.
• Classic VKDB: Develops between 2 days and one week of life. Symptoms can include bruising, umbilical cord bleeding, or bleeding from a circumcision site.
• Late VKDB: The most dangerous type, typically occurring between 2 weeks and 6 months old. It most often affects exclusively breastfed infants who did not receive a vitamin K shot at birth and commonly presents as severe, life-threatening intracranial bleeding.

The Impact of Vitamin K Deficiency in Adults

While rare in healthy adults, vitamin K deficiency can occur in those with underlying health issues. In these cases, the deficiency primarily manifests as bleeding disorders. This can present as easy bruising, nosebleeds (epistaxis), excessive bleeding from minor cuts, or gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In women, it can also lead to abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding. A deficiency may also negatively impact bone health, contributing to conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Causes of Vitamin K Deficiency

Multiple factors can lead to vitamin K deficiency in at-risk populations. In adults, these are typically related to impaired absorption or metabolism rather than simple dietary inadequacy, though diet can be a contributing factor.

1. Fat Malabsorption Disorders: Conditions that affect the absorption of dietary fats also inhibit the absorption of fat-soluble vitamin K. These include cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic pancreatic or liver disease.
2. Long-term Antibiotic Use: Broad-spectrum antibiotics can kill the beneficial bacteria in the gut responsible for producing vitamin K2, reducing the body's overall supply.
3. Use of Certain Medications: Anticoagulants like warfarin intentionally interfere with the vitamin K cycle to prevent blood clotting, and improper dosing can lead to bleeding. Similarly, some anti-seizure medications can impair vitamin K metabolism.
4. Very Low-Fat Diet: Because vitamin K is fat-soluble, extreme low-fat diets can reduce its absorption from food.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of a vitamin K deficiency begins with a medical history and a physical examination of the patient. A doctor may then order blood tests, including a prothrombin time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR), which measure how quickly blood clots. A prolonged clotting time can indicate a deficiency.

Treatment involves administering vitamin K, typically as phytonadione (vitamin K1). The dosage and method depend on the patient's age and the severity of the deficiency. Oral supplementation is common for adults, while newborns are routinely given a single intramuscular injection shortly after birth to prevent VKDB. In severe cases with active bleeding, intravenous administration or even fresh frozen plasma may be required.

The Role of Diet and Prevention

Prevention is the most effective approach, especially for newborns. All infants should receive a vitamin K injection at birth, as recommended by major health organizations like the CDC. For adults with malabsorption issues, regular monitoring and supplementation may be necessary. Healthy individuals can prevent deficiency by maintaining a diet rich in vitamin K sources, such as leafy green vegetables. Some examples of vitamin K-rich foods include kale, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and fermented foods like nattō.

Comparison of Vitamin K Deficiency in Infants vs. Adults

Feature	Infants (Newborns)	Adults
Primary Disease	Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a severe hemorrhagic disorder.	Rare hemorrhagic disease and weakened bone health.
Key Risk Factors	Low placental transfer, low vitamin K in breast milk, sterile gut at birth, and maternal medication use.	Fat malabsorption disorders, long-term antibiotic use, specific medication use (e.g., warfarin), and liver disease.
Symptom Profile	Unexplained bruising, umbilical or circumcision bleeding, and critically, intracranial hemorrhage.	Easy bruising, mucosal bleeding (nosebleeds, GI), heavy menstrual periods.
Common Treatment	Prophylactic intramuscular vitamin K shot at birth; repeated oral doses may also be used in some cases.	Oral supplementation with vitamin K1 (phytonadione); injections or intravenous drips for severe cases.
Prevention	Mandatory vitamin K shot shortly after birth; education for parents.	Balanced diet with vitamin K-rich foods; addressing underlying medical conditions; careful management of certain medications.

Conclusion

The disease caused by a lack of vitamin K is a bleeding disorder known as hemorrhagic disease, most critically manifesting as Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in infants. This condition stems from the vitamin's vital role in producing key blood-clotting factors. While rare in healthy adults, severe deficiency can lead to increased bleeding, easy bruising, and poor bone health, especially in those with malabsorption issues or who take specific medications. Fortunately, VKDB is almost entirely preventable in newborns with a simple vitamin K injection, and adult deficiency is manageable with supplementation and addressing the underlying cause. Staying informed about the signs and risks of this preventable condition is vital for timely intervention and preventing severe complications.

Learn more about vitamin K's role in the body from this authoritative resource: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary disease resulting from a lack of vitamin K?

The primary disease resulting from a lack of vitamin K is a hemorrhagic disorder caused by the body's inability to produce sufficient blood-clotting proteins. In newborns, this is specifically called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), while adults may experience general bleeding tendencies.

Are adults or infants more susceptible to vitamin K deficiency?

Infants are significantly more susceptible to vitamin K deficiency, particularly newborns. Adults rarely experience a deficiency unless they have underlying medical conditions that affect nutrient absorption or are on specific medications.

What are the common symptoms of vitamin K deficiency?

Common symptoms include easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, excessive bleeding from wounds, and blood in the urine or stool. In infants, severe intracranial bleeding is a serious, life-threatening symptom.

How is vitamin K deficiency treated?

Vitamin K deficiency is treated by administering vitamin K, often in the form of a supplement (oral or injection). Newborns typically receive a prophylactic injection at birth.

What are the main risk factors for vitamin K deficiency in adults?

The main risk factors for adults include fat malabsorption disorders (like celiac disease or cystic fibrosis), liver disease, chronic antibiotic use, and the use of anticoagulant medications like warfarin.

Can diet alone cause vitamin K deficiency in adults?

It is rare for diet alone to cause a vitamin K deficiency in healthy adults, as the body can produce some vitamin K and it is widely available in many foods. However, an extremely low-fat diet can inhibit absorption.

What foods are good sources of vitamin K?

Excellent food sources of vitamin K include green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli, as well as vegetable oils, soybeans, and some fermented foods.