What is a deficiency disease that causes bleeding?

December 29, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that sailors historically suffered from a deficiency disease called scurvy that caused severe bleeding and death? The classic ailment, along with other lesser-known conditions, illustrates what is a deficiency disease that causes bleeding when the body lacks essential nutrients for proper blood clotting and tissue repair.

Quick Summary

Bleeding can result from a lack of critical nutrients like vitamin C and vitamin K. These deficiencies impair blood clotting and tissue health, leading to symptoms such as easy bruising and bleeding gums. Other nutritional issues, like iron deficiency, can also contribute to bleeding problems.

Key Points

Scurvy: A severe deficiency of vitamin C that impairs collagen synthesis, leading to fragile blood vessels and symptoms like bleeding gums and easy bruising.
Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB): A shortage of vitamin K impairs the production of critical clotting factors, causing uncontrolled bleeding, especially dangerous for newborns.
Newborn Prophylaxis: The standard vitamin K shot at birth prevents severe, life-threatening VKDB in infants, who have naturally low reserves.
Iron Deficiency Anemia: Can lead to easy bruising due to its impact on platelet production in the bone marrow.
Bleeding Gums: Can signal a deficiency of Vitamin C or B12, in addition to being a sign of poor oral hygiene.
Malabsorption: Underlying health issues like Crohn's or Celiac disease can prevent the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like K, leading to deficiency.
Medical Evaluation: Any unexplained or excessive bleeding should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, as it can indicate a nutritional deficiency or a more serious condition.

The Role of Essential Nutrients in Blood Health

To understand what is a deficiency disease that causes bleeding, it's important to know the functions of key vitamins and minerals in the body. Vitamins C and K play pivotal roles in maintaining the integrity of blood vessels and ensuring proper blood clotting. When these nutrients are missing from the diet, the body’s ability to control bleeding is compromised, leading to a range of hemorrhagic symptoms.

Scurvy: The Classic Vitamin C Deficiency

Scurvy is caused by a significant lack of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, in the diet. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is also crucial for synthesizing collagen, a vital protein for building and repairing connective tissues, including those in blood vessels and gums. Without enough vitamin C, blood vessels become weak and fragile, prone to rupture and bleeding.

Symptoms of Scurvy

Early signs of scurvy often include fatigue and weakness. As the condition worsens, more severe symptoms appear. These can include:

Bleeding and swollen gums that may turn purple and spongy.
Easy bruising and small red or purple spots (petechiae) under the skin.
Poor wound healing and the reopening of old wounds.
Corkscrew-shaped hairs and dry, rough skin.
Joint and muscle pain.
Anemia, which can exacerbate fatigue.

Scurvy in At-Risk Populations

While rare in developed nations, scurvy can affect individuals with poor dietary intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. At-risk groups include those with alcohol use disorder, the malnourished, some elderly people living alone, and individuals on restrictive diets.

Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB)

Vitamin K is essential for synthesizing the liver-produced proteins known as clotting factors, specifically factors II, VII, IX, and X. Without adequate vitamin K, the blood cannot clot effectively, leading to a high risk of uncontrolled bleeding.

VKDB in Newborns

Newborns are particularly vulnerable to VKDB because they are born with limited vitamin K reserves. Breast milk also contains very low levels of vitamin K. This is why a vitamin K shot is administered shortly after birth to all infants, preventing potentially fatal bleeding, especially intracranial hemorrhage.

VKDB in Adults

Adult vitamin K deficiency is uncommon but can be caused by various factors, including:

Malabsorption disorders, such as celiac disease or cystic fibrosis, that interfere with fat absorption.
Prolonged use of certain antibiotics, which can disrupt the gut bacteria that produce some vitamin K.
Taking anticoagulant medications like warfarin, which interfere with vitamin K metabolism.
Liver disease, which impairs the synthesis of clotting factors.

Other Nutrient Deficiencies That Cause Bleeding

Bleeding and bruising can also be associated with deficiencies in other nutrients, underscoring the importance of a balanced diet.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Severe iron deficiency can lead to anemia and a reduction in platelet production. Platelets are the first line of defense in blood clotting, so a low count can result in increased bruising.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation. A deficiency, such as with pernicious anemia, can lead to gum bleeding and inflammation.

Comparison of Deficiency Diseases Causing Bleeding


Feature	Scurvy (Vitamin C Deficiency)	Vitamin K Deficiency (VKDB)	Iron Deficiency Anemia
Primary Mechanism	Impaired collagen synthesis leads to fragile blood vessels.	Inadequate synthesis of clotting factors.	Reduced platelet production and compromised blood cells.
Main Symptoms	Bleeding gums, easy bruising, poor wound healing, joint pain.	Uncontrolled bleeding, easy bruising, bleeding in the brain (in severe newborn cases).	Easy bruising, fatigue, paleness, and other anemia symptoms.
Populations at Risk	Malnourished, elderly, alcoholics, restrictive diets.	Newborns, people with malabsorption or liver disease, those on certain medications.	Women of childbearing age, pregnant women, those with gastrointestinal issues.
Treatment	Vitamin C supplementation and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.	Vitamin K supplementation (oral or injectable).	Iron supplementation and dietary changes.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention is the most effective approach for these conditions. A balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals is key. For example, ensuring sufficient intake of citrus fruits, leafy greens, and other fresh produce helps prevent scurvy. Similarly, eating vegetables, fermented foods, and certain oils can provide ample vitamin K. For newborns, the standard vitamin K injection is a critical preventative measure. In cases of malabsorption or other underlying health issues, supplementation and medical management are necessary. It is important to remember that unusual or excessive bleeding should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine the root cause.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Nutritional Health

When asking what is a deficiency disease that causes bleeding, the answer points to conditions like scurvy and vitamin K deficiency that disrupt the body's natural hemostasis. Both these ailments, as well as deficiencies in iron and B12, highlight how vital a balanced nutrient intake is for maintaining healthy blood and tissue integrity. By understanding the causes, recognizing the symptoms, and prioritizing a healthy diet or appropriate supplementation, individuals can effectively prevent and manage these bleeding-related deficiencies. Consulting a doctor for unexplained bleeding is always the best course of action to ensure a correct diagnosis and treatment.

Medical News Today: Blood disorders that cause bruising

Frequently Asked Questions

Scurvy, caused by a severe vitamin C deficiency, is a classic cause of bleeding gums due to its impact on collagen and blood vessel health. A vitamin B12 deficiency can also lead to gum bleeding.

Yes, severe iron deficiency anemia can result in a low platelet count. Since platelets are crucial for blood clotting, this can increase the risk of easy bruising.

Newborns are born with very low vitamin K reserves and insufficient gut bacteria to produce their own. A vitamin K shot is given as a preventive measure against Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), which can be severe and life-threatening.

Diagnosis typically involves a doctor evaluating a patient's symptoms, medical history, and diet. Blood tests are used to measure vitamin levels and assess blood clotting times to confirm a deficiency.

To prevent bleeding deficiencies, focus on a balanced diet rich in vitamin C (citrus, berries), vitamin K (leafy greens, fermented foods), and iron (red meat, spinach, beans). Eating a small amount of fat with vitamin K foods can also improve absorption.

While scurvy is rare in developed countries with widespread access to fresh produce, it still poses a risk to certain populations. This includes individuals with restrictive diets, alcohol dependence, or chronic malnutrition, as well as some elderly people.

A nutritional deficiency is caused by a lack of an essential nutrient, like vitamin K or C, and is often treatable with diet and supplements. A genetic bleeding disorder, like hemophilia, is inherited and caused by a congenital defect in a clotting factor, requiring more specialized, lifelong treatment.