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Evaluation of vitamin K deficiency in children with acute and intractable diarrhea

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Abstract

The purposes of this study were to determine the frequency of vitamin K deficiency and to assess its effects on bleeding in patients with acute and intractable diarrhea. A total of 90 children with diarrhea and 30 healthy children (group C) were included in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups, according to the duration of diarrhea. Complete blood count; prothrombin time (PT); activated prothrombin time (APTT); Factors II, VII, IX, and X; and protein C levels were studied in all patients. A total of 3 mg of vitamin K was administrated to patients with prolonged PT and/or APTT. Coagulation parameters were restudied 8 to 12 h after vitamin K was administered. Mean age, sex, weight, and breastfeeding percentage, as well as history of fever and vitamin K administration at birth, were similar in the 2 groups. The duration of antibiotic administration in group B (intractable diarrhea) was significantly longer than that in group A (acute diarrhea). Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding was observed in 3 (4.9%) infants in group A and 6 (20.7%) in group B (P< .05). The duration of diarrhea was significantly longer in infants with GI bleeding. Intracranial bleeding occurred in 1 infant with intractable diarrhea. Prolonged PT levels were noted in groups A and B. Significant improvement in PT and APTT and an increase in coagulation factors were observed after vitamin K had been administered. Investigators in this study conclude that coagulation parameters can be improved by the administration of vitamin K to children with deranged PT and APTT and diarrheal illness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Yüzüncü Yil University, Cocuk Servisi Maras Caddesi, 65200, Van, Turkey

    Ali Bay MD (Fellow in Pediatric Hematology), Ahmet Faik Öner MD (Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematologist), Vefik Celebi MD (Pediatrician) & Abdurahman Uner MD (Associate Professor of Pediatrics)

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  1. Ali Bay MD
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  2. Ahmet Faik Öner MD
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  3. Vefik Celebi MD
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  4. Abdurahman Uner MD
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Bay, A., Öner, A.F., Celebi, V. et al. Evaluation of vitamin K deficiency in children with acute and intractable diarrhea. Adv Therapy 23, 469–474 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02850168

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