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Review
. 2018 Mar 14;44(1):36.
doi: 10.1186/s13052-018-0474-0.

Vitamin K deficiency: a case report and review of current guidelines

Maria Rosaria Marchili  1 , Elisa Santoro  2 , Alessandra Marchesi  3 , Simona Bianchi  3 , Lelia Rotondi Aufiero  3 , Alberto Villani  3
Affiliations
Review

Vitamin K deficiency: a case report and review of current guidelines

Maria Rosaria Marchili et al. Ital J Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: Vitamin K, a fat soluble vitamin, is a necessary cofactor for the activation of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X, and protein C and S. In neonatal period, vitamin K deficiency may lead to Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB).

Case presentation: We present the case of a 2 months and 20 days Caucasian male, presented for bleeding from the injections sites of vaccines. At birth oral vitamin K prophylaxis was administered. Neonatal period was normal. He was exclusively breastfed and received a daily oral supplementation with 25 μg of vitamin K. A late onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding was suspected. Intravenous Vitamin K was administered with complete recovery.

Conclusions: Nevertheless the oral prophylaxis, our case developed a VKDB: it is necessary to revise the current guidelines in order to standardize timing and dosage in different clinical conditions.

Keywords: Bleeding; Breastfeeding; Case report; Deficiency; Vitamin K.

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Written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s parents/legal guardians for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for the review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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