What is vitamin K NHS?

According to NHS guidance, vitamin K is a group of vitamins essential for blood clotting and wound healing, with some evidence also suggesting it helps keep bones healthy. It is most notably recommended for newborns to prevent a serious bleeding disorder known as Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB).

Quick Summary

The NHS defines vitamin K as a vital nutrient for blood clotting and bone health. This article explains its function, dietary sources, deficiency risks, and details the NHS's specific recommendations for newborns.

Key Points

• Blood Clotting: Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and wound healing, a function highlighted by the NHS.

• Newborn Supplements: The NHS recommends a vitamin K supplement for all newborns to prevent a serious bleeding disorder called VKDB.

• Dietary Sources: Adults can get sufficient vitamin K from a balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, and cereals.

• Deficiency Symptoms: Signs of vitamin K deficiency can include easy bruising, excessive bleeding, and blood in the urine or stool.

• Adult Supplements: Healthy adults do not typically need vitamin K supplements and should consult a GP if considering them, especially if on anticoagulants like warfarin.

• Administration for Babies: For newborns, the supplement can be given as a single injection or multiple oral doses, with the injection offering more reliable protection.

What is Vitamin K and its Function?

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin group crucial for several bodily functions, primarily blood clotting and wound healing according to the NHS. The body uses vitamin K to produce proteins in the liver essential for blood coagulation. Insufficient vitamin K impairs clotting, leading to excessive bleeding.

The two main natural forms of vitamin K are Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), primarily from green leafy vegetables and used in newborn supplements, and Vitamin K2 (menaquinones), produced by gut bacteria and found in some fermented and animal products. Some evidence suggests vitamin K also supports bone health by aiding in the production of osteocalcin.

NHS Guidelines for Adults

For healthy adults, the NHS recommends obtaining vitamin K through a balanced diet, with a daily intake of about 1 mcg per kilogram of body weight. The body can store excess vitamin K in the liver.

Can adults take vitamin K supplements?

The NHS does not typically recommend vitamin K supplements for healthy adults, stating that doses of 1mg or less per day are unlikely to be harmful. However, individuals on anticoagulants like warfarin must maintain a stable vitamin K intake to avoid complications. Consulting a GP before taking supplements is advised, especially with existing health conditions or medications.

Vitamin K and Newborns: The NHS Approach

Newborns have low vitamin K levels due to limited placental transfer, undeveloped gut bacteria, and low amounts in breast milk, increasing their risk of Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). The NHS strongly recommends a vitamin K supplement for all newborns to prevent VKDB, offering either an injection or oral drops.

Vitamin K Administration for Newborns

Feature	Injection (Intramuscular)	Oral Drops (Konakion MM Paediatric)
Timing	Single dose shortly after birth.	Multiple doses: at birth, 4-7 days, and one month (for breastfed babies).
Reliability	Highly reliable, long-lasting VKDB protection.	Less reliable; inconsistent absorption requires repeat doses.
Risk of VKDB	Risk nearly eliminated.	Higher risk if doses are missed.
Suitability	Recommended for all, especially premature or unwell babies.	Best for healthy term babies if injection is declined.
Parental Choice	Refusal is an option but goes against medical advice.	Alternative if injection is refused, requires strict adherence.

Foods Containing Vitamin K

Adults can obtain sufficient vitamin K from a balanced diet, particularly from green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli), vegetable oils (olive, rapeseed), cereals, and smaller amounts in meat, eggs, and dairy.

Symptoms and Risks of Deficiency

Vitamin K deficiency is rare in healthy adults but can occur with malabsorption, liver disease, or certain medications. Symptoms are mainly related to poor blood clotting, including easy bruising, bleeding from nose or gums, excessive wound bleeding, blood in urine or stool, and heavy menstrual periods. In newborns, VKDB signs include umbilical stump bleeding, bruising, blood in urine or stool, and potentially brain bleeding.

Conclusion

As defined by the NHS, vitamin K is vital for blood clotting and bone health. While a balanced diet is sufficient for most adults, newborns require supplementation to prevent VKDB. Individuals on anticoagulants need careful management of vitamin K intake, and medical advice should be sought before starting supplements. A varied diet ensures adequate vitamin K. For more information, consult the NHS website on vitamins and minerals.

Symptoms and Risks of Deficiency

A significant vitamin K deficiency in adults is very uncommon in healthy individuals. However, deficiency can occur in those with malabsorption disorders, liver disease, or those on certain medications. The main symptom of deficiency is excessive bleeding due to impaired blood clotting.

Symptoms of deficiency in adults can include:

• Easy bruising
• Oozing from the nose or gums
• Excessive bleeding from small wounds
• Blood in the urine or stool
• Heavy menstrual periods

In newborns, the primary risk is VKDB, which can manifest with signs such as:

• Bleeding from the umbilical cord stump
• Bruising on the skin
• Blood in the urine or stool
• In severe cases, life-threatening bleeding inside the brain

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do newborn babies need vitamin K according to the NHS?

Newborn babies have very low levels of vitamin K at birth, as it does not pass efficiently through the placenta. This puts them at risk of a serious bleeding disorder called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), which the supplement prevents.

What happens if a baby does not receive vitamin K at birth?

If a baby does not receive a vitamin K supplement, there is a small but significant risk of developing VKDB, which can cause internal bleeding, including life-threatening bleeding in the brain.

What are the food sources of vitamin K according to the NHS?

Good sources of vitamin K include green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and kale, along with vegetable oils, cereals, and smaller amounts found in meat and dairy products.

Can I take vitamin K supplements as an adult?

The NHS states that healthy adults can typically get enough vitamin K from their diet and generally do not need supplements. If you are considering a supplement, particularly if you are on other medication, you should speak to a GP first.

What are the risks of taking too much vitamin K?

According to the NHS, there is not enough evidence to know the effects of taking high doses of vitamin K supplements every day. However, it is known to interact with certain medications, like warfarin, and should be taken with caution.

Are there side effects from the vitamin K injection for babies?

The risks of the vitamin K injection are very small. There is a minor risk of infection or inflammation at the injection site. Extensive research has also confirmed no link between the injection and childhood cancer.

What is the difference between Vitamin K1 and K2?

Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is the main form from dietary sources like green leafy vegetables. Vitamin K2 (menaquinones) is produced by gut bacteria and found in some animal products and fermented foods.

Who is most at risk of vitamin K deficiency?

Aside from newborns, adults most at risk of deficiency are those with malabsorption issues, liver disease, or who are taking medications that interfere with vitamin K metabolism, such as certain antibiotics or anticoagulants.