Vitamin K Deficiency: What Disease is Caused by the Lack?

November 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) is a preventable condition that affects some newborns. This critical deficiency can lead to a serious bleeding disorder because the body lacks the vital nutrients required for proper blood clotting.

Quick Summary

A lack of vitamin K can cause a serious bleeding disorder called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in newborns, as well as impair blood clotting and bone health in adults. It's especially critical for infants, who have low vitamin K reserves at birth.

Key Points

Bleeding Disorder: The most notable disease caused by a lack of vitamin K is a bleeding disorder resulting from impaired blood clotting due to insufficient clotting factor production.
VKDB in Newborns: Infants are at high risk for Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) because they have low vitamin K reserves at birth and get limited amounts from breast milk.
VKDB Prevention: A single vitamin K injection at birth is the most effective and recommended preventative measure against VKDB in newborns.
Adult Risk Factors: In adults, deficiency is rare but can be caused by malabsorption disorders (like celiac disease or cystic fibrosis), certain medications (antibiotics, anticoagulants), or liver disease.
Symptoms: Common symptoms in both infants and adults include easy bruising, excessive bleeding from wounds, and internal hemorrhaging.
Bone Health: Beyond bleeding, prolonged vitamin K deficiency can weaken bones by impairing the production of proteins essential for bone mineralization, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis typically involves blood tests, such as prothrombin time (PT), which measures how long it takes for blood to clot.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for several bodily functions, most notably the process of blood coagulation. When the body doesn't have enough vitamin K, it cannot produce the necessary proteins to stop bleeding effectively. This leads to a distinct condition with potentially severe consequences, especially in newborns, but it can also affect adults with certain risk factors.

The Primary Disease: Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB)

What is VKDB?

Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), formerly known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, is the most prominent disease caused by the lack of vitamin K. Newborns are particularly vulnerable because they are born with very low levels of this vitamin for several reasons.

Poor Placental Transfer: Only a small amount of vitamin K passes from the mother's placenta to the fetus during pregnancy.
Immature Gut: The newborn's intestines do not yet have the bacteria needed to produce vitamin K.
Low Vitamin K in Breast Milk: Breast milk contains significantly less vitamin K than formula milk.

VKDB can occur at different times after birth, categorized into three types based on the onset of bleeding:

Early VKDB: Occurs within the first 24 hours and is most often linked to certain maternal medications taken during pregnancy.
Classic VKDB: Typically appears between day 2 and day 7 after birth and is more common in exclusively breastfed infants who have not received the vitamin K shot.
Late VKDB: Develops between 2 weeks and 6 months of age, with a high incidence of severe intracranial hemorrhage in infants who did not receive a vitamin K shot at birth.

Symptoms and Complications of VKDB

The symptoms of VKDB can be subtle, and in many cases, there are no warning signs before a serious bleeding event occurs. Potential symptoms include:

Easy bruising, especially on the head and face.
Bleeding from the nose, umbilicus (belly button), or circumcision site.
Pale skin or gums.
Blood in the stool (which can appear dark and tarry) or urine.
In severe cases, signs of internal bleeding such as irritability, seizures, or excessive sleepiness, which may indicate life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage.

Complications of untreated VKDB can be devastating. Uncontrolled bleeding can lead to brain damage or death, making prompt detection and treatment crucial. This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends a single vitamin K injection for all newborns shortly after birth.

The Role of Vitamin K Deficiency in Adults

While VKDB is primarily a concern for infants, vitamin K deficiency can also affect adults, though it is rare in healthy individuals. In adults, a lack of vitamin K impairs the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver, leading to bleeding disorders and potential bone health issues.

Common symptoms in adults include:

Excessive bleeding from wounds, punctures, or surgical sites.
Easy bruising.
Small blood clots underneath the nails.
Blood in the urine or stool.
Heavy menstrual bleeding in women.

Comparison Table: VKDB in Infants vs. Deficiency in Adults


Feature	Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in Infants	Vitamin K Deficiency in Adults
Primary Cause	Low vitamin K stores at birth, poor placental transfer, low vitamin K in breast milk, and immature gut flora.	Poor diet, malabsorption issues (e.g., celiac disease, cystic fibrosis), liver disease, or certain medications.
Bleeding Risks	Life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage is a significant risk, along with bleeding from the umbilical cord, circumcision site, nose, or GI tract.	Excessive bleeding from wounds, nosebleeds, internal mucosal bleeding, or heavy menstruation.
Symptom Profile	Can present with or without prior warning signs. May involve bruises, paleness, and potentially neurological symptoms like seizures.	Generally involves more visible signs of bleeding and bruising. Bone health issues may also be a contributing factor.
Preventive Measure	A single intramuscular vitamin K injection shortly after birth is highly effective at preventing VKDB.	Maintaining a balanced diet rich in leafy greens and addressing any underlying health conditions causing malabsorption.
Treatment	An immediate vitamin K injection or fresh frozen plasma in severe bleeding cases.	Oral or injected vitamin K supplements, often coupled with dietary changes or treating the underlying cause.

Risk Factors for Vitamin K Deficiency

Beyond infants, several factors can increase the risk of vitamin K deficiency in adults. Understanding these risks is key to prevention.

Medications: Certain drugs interfere with vitamin K metabolism, including blood thinners like warfarin and some antibiotics. People on these medications often require careful monitoring.
Malabsorption Disorders: Conditions that hinder the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins can lead to a deficiency. Examples include:
- Celiac disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Crohn's disease
- Liver or gallbladder disease
Severe Malnutrition: A diet consistently lacking in vitamin K-rich foods can eventually cause a deficiency, though this is rare in healthy adults.

The Impact of Vitamin K on Bone Health

Emerging evidence also points to a link between vitamin K deficiency and poor bone health. Vitamin K is involved in the carboxylation of proteins like osteocalcin, which helps bind calcium to the bone matrix. A deficiency can impair this process, leading to:

Low bone mineral density (BMD): Increased risk of bone-related conditions, including osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Higher fracture risk: Some studies have linked low vitamin K intake with an increased incidence of fractures, particularly hip fractures.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the disease caused by the lack of vitamin K is primarily a bleeding disorder due to impaired coagulation. In infants, this manifests as Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a potentially fatal condition that is easily preventable with a vitamin K shot at birth. In adults, deficiency is less common but can result from other medical conditions or medications, leading to excessive bruising and bleeding. Additionally, chronic low levels of vitamin K can negatively impact bone health, contributing to conditions like osteoporosis. Maintaining adequate vitamin K intake, either through a balanced diet or supplementation under medical supervision, is essential for promoting proper blood clotting and supporting overall health. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing the severe complications associated with this deficiency.

For more information on the role of vitamins in human health, you can consult authoritative health resources, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a newborn does not receive a vitamin K shot, they are at risk of developing Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). This can cause life-threatening bleeding into the intestines or brain, leading to severe complications or death.

No, vitamin K deficiency is rare in healthy adults because the vitamin is widely available in many foods, and gut bacteria produce some of it. However, it can occur in individuals with malabsorption disorders, liver disease, or those taking certain medications.

The main symptom is excessive bleeding. This can manifest as easy bruising, nosebleeds, blood under the nails, blood in the urine or stool, and heavy menstrual bleeding in women.

Treatment involves administering vitamin K supplements, either orally, subcutaneously, or intravenously, depending on the severity. It also requires addressing the underlying cause, such as a malabsorption issue or adjusting medications.

It is rare for diet alone to cause a deficiency in healthy adults. However, a diet that is extremely low in leafy green vegetables and other vitamin K sources, combined with other risk factors, could contribute to a deficiency.

Vitamin K is essential for activating proteins like osteocalcin, which bind calcium to bone tissue. A deficiency can impair this process, leading to low bone mineral density and an increased risk of fractures.

Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is found primarily in plant sources like leafy greens. Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is produced by gut bacteria and found in smaller amounts in fermented foods and animal products.