The treatment for vitamin K is the drug phytonadione, which is vitamin K1. Most of the time doctors prescribe it as an oral medication. A doctor or nurse might also inject it under the skin (as opposed to into a vein or muscle). The dosage for adults ranges from 1 to 25 milligrams (mg).
What causes low vitamin K?
Vitamin K deficiency can occur during the first few weeks of infancy due to low placental transfer of phylloquinone, low clotting factor levels, and low vitamin K content of breast milk . Clinically significant vitamin K deficiency in adults is very rare and is usually limited to people with malabsorption disorders or those taking drugs that ...
Should I take vitamin K with my vitamin D supplement?
Vitamin K and your health
- Blood clotting. Vitamin K deficiency impairs blood clotting, causing excessive bleeding and bruising. ...
- Cardiovascular health. As we saw, vitamin K partakes in calcium regulation: it helps ensure that more calcium gets deposited in bones and less in soft tissues, thus reducing arterial stiffness.
- Bone health. ...
What disease cause vitamin K deficiency?
- Intrahepatic cholestasis
- Biliary obstruction
- Chronic oral antibiotic administration
- Infiltrative bowel disease
- Dietary vitamin K deficiency
What are the signs and symptoms of vitamin K toxicity?
In a vitamin K deficiency, the following signs and symptoms may be noticed :
- Easy and/or profuse bleeding
- Easy bruising (hematoma, ecchymosis)
- Petechiae – small red to purple spots under the skin
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
- Bleeding gums
- Bleeding from the gut – vomiting up blood (hematemesis), dark blood in stool (melena), fresh blood in stool (hematochezia)
- Heavy menses (menorrhagia)
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
What is the typical treatment for vitamin K deficiency when the patient is bleeding?
Intravenous (IV) administration of vitamin K has been associated with anaphylactoidlike reactions. Fresh frozen plasma may be considered for moderate to severe bleeding. Life-threatening bleeding may also be treated with prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs).
Which is prevented in vitamin K prophylaxis?
Vitamin K is commonly given as prophylaxis after birth for preventing HDN. Among infants who had not received vitamin K prophylaxis at birth, the incidence of HDN was estimated at 35 (10.5 to 80) per 100,000 live births, being lower in high income countries at 8.8 (5.8 to 17.8) per 100,000 live births [2].
What is the daily recommendation of vitamin K?
The AI amount is estimated to ensure nutritional adequacy. For adults 19 years and older, the AI for vitamin K is 120 micrograms (mcg) daily for men and 90 mcg for women and for those who are pregnant or lactating.
How do you maintain vitamin K?
Eat More Leafy Greens This leafy green and others, like collard greens and kale, top the charts when it comes to vitamin K. Cooked kale is a vitamin K powerhouse, packing 561 micrograms in one-half cup.
Why is vitamin K prophylaxis?
Vitamin K is commonly given as prophylaxis after birth for preventing HDN. Among infants who had not received vitamin K prophylaxis at birth, the incidence of HDN was estimated at 35 (10.5 to 80) per 100,000 live births, being lower in high income countries at 8.8 (5.8 to 17.8) per 100,000 live births [2].
How is vitamin K administered in adults?
Adults and teenagers—The usual dose is 5 to 15 mg, injected into a muscle or under the skin, one or two times a day. Children—The usual dose is 5 to 10 mg, injected into a muscle or under the skin, one or two times a day.
What is vitamin K deficiency?
Vitamin K refers to a group of fat-soluble compounds involved in coagulation, bone development, and cardiovascular health. Vitamin K deficiency can contribute to significant bleeding, poor bone development, osteoporosis, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
What are vitamin K sources?
Vitamin K is found in the following foods: Green leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach, turnip greens, collards, Swiss chard, mustard greens, parsley, romaine, and green leaf lettuce. Vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Fish, liver, meat, eggs, and cereals (contain smaller amounts ...
What kind of vitamin K should I take?
Vitamin K1Vitamin K1 is the most common form of vitamin K found in the diet, so the recommended daily intake (RDI) for vitamin K (120 mcg daily for men and 90 mcg daily for women) is based mainly on vitamin K1.
How do you prevent blood clots naturally?
How You Can Prevent Blood Clots NaturallyStay active. Remaining sedentary for long periods of time can cause your blood to pool, which can lead to clots. ... Regular exercise. ... Lose weight. ... If traveling, be extra cautious. ... Drink water. ... If pregnant, keep moving. ... Keep feet raised when sleeping. ... Watch for signs.
How do you inject vitamin K?
How to use Vitamin K1 Ampul. This medication is given by injection under the skin or into a muscle or vein as directed by your doctor. If this medication is given into a vein, it should be injected very slowly (no more than 1 milligram per minute) to reduce the risk of serious side effects.
What food is highest in vitamin K?
Which foods contain vitamin K?Kale (cooked) — 443% of the DV per serving. ... Mustard greens (cooked) — 346% of the DV per serving. ... Swiss chard (raw) — 332% of the DV per serving. ... Collard greens (cooked) — 322% of the DV per serving. ... Natto — 261% of the DV per serving. ... Spinach (raw) — 121% of the DV per serving.More items...•
How many states have no prophylaxis for vitamin K?
According to the CDC, 20 states lack statutes related to neonatal vitamin K prophylaxis, and among the 30 states that do, there is significant variability in the framework for administration of prophylaxis. [ 11]
How long after birth can you give vitamin K?
Vitamin K injection at birth is highly effective in preventing vitamin K deficiency bleeding in infants, and since 1961, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, has recommended a prophylactic dose of intramuscular vitamin K be given up to 6 hours after birth. [ 10] .
How long does vitamin K bleeding last?
Parents of infants who opt out of the vitamin K injection report being unaware that the risk for vitamin K deficiency bleeding lasts up to 6 months. [ 31, 32] Universal neonatal vitamin K prophylaxis is further by complicated by state public health laws that can be inconsistent with the AAP guidelines.
What doctor can diagnose VK deficiency?
Consultations should be considered with a hematologist and a gastroenterologist. A hematologist can exclude conditions that can mimic vitamin K (VK) deficiency. Bleeding time, PT/aPTT, and serum DCP level (PIVKA level) are ordered to assist the physician in diagnosing the VK deficiency.
What is VK-3 used for?
This form is used in the setting of asymptomatic VK deficiency. VK-3, a menadione, is a synthetic, water-soluble compound used to treat VK deficiency associated with maldigestion and malabsorption syndromes; however, it is not used in newborns due to the hemolysis observed with higher doses.
How many mg of VK is given?
If there is a high risk for hematoma formation with intramuscular or subcutaneous VK administration, then an oral form of VK can be administered in 5- to 20-mg doses, depending on the severity. The absorption with the oral form is variable because it requires bile salts in the ileum for absorption.
What foods are good for VK?
Oils (eg, olive, canola, cottonseed, safflower, and soybean). Green, leafy vegetables and common vegetables (eg, green peas and beans, watercress, asparagus, spinach, and broccoli). Oats and whole wheat. No consensu s has been reached on a recommended daily allowance for VK.
What is vitamin K used for?
A: Vitamin K is used by the body to form clots and to stop bleeding. Babies are born with very little vitamin K stored in their bodies. This is called “vitamin K deficiency” and means that a baby has low levels of vitamin K.
Who is the best person to talk to about vitamin K?
Your child’s doctor is the best person to talk to about vitamin K. Like you, your child’s doctor wants to see your children grow up safe and healthy and wants to support your efforts to make the best decisions for their health. If you have concerns about vitamin K, talk to your child’s doctor.
What is the best shot for a newborn to prevent low blood levels?
VKDB is a serious and potentially life-threatening cause of bleeding in infants up to 6 months of age. A vitamin K shot given at birth is the best way to prevent low levels of vitamin K and vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB).
Why do babies have low vitamin K levels?
All babies are born with very low levels of vitamin K because it doesn’t cross the placenta well.
What is the benefit of vitamin K at birth?
The vitamin K given at birth provides protection against bleeding that could occur because of low levels of this essential vitamin. Below are some commonly asked questions and their answers. If you continue to have concerns about vitamin K, please talk to your pediatrician or healthcare provider.
How long does it take for a baby to get a good supply of vitamin K?
But remember babies don’t have much vitamin K when they are born and won’t have a good supply of vitamin K until they are close to six months old. This is because vitamin K does not cross the placenta and breast milk has very low levels of vitamin K. The vitamin K shot acts in two ways to increase the vitamin K levels.
How does vitamin K affect infants?
First, part of the vitamin K goes into the infant’s bloodstream immediately and increases the amount of vitamin K in the blood. This provides enough vitamin K so that the infant’s levels don’t drop dangerously low in the first few days of life.
What is vitamin K?
“Vitamin K,” the generic name for a family of compounds with a common chemical structure of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods and is available as a dietary supplement [ 1 ]. These compounds include phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and a series of menaquinones (vitamin K2) [ 2 ]. Menaquinones have unsaturated isoprenyl side chains and are designated as MK-4 through MK-13, based on the length of their side chain [ 1, 2 ]. MK-4, MK-7, and MK-9 are the most well-studied menaquinones.
What are the symptoms of vitamin K deficiency?
Thus, bleeding and hemorrhage are the classic signs of vitamin K deficiency, although these effects occur only in severe cases.
Why did the FNB not establish ULs for vitamin K?
The FNB did not establish ULs for vitamin K because of its low potential for toxicity [ 3 ]. In its report, the FNB stated that “no adverse effects associated with vitamin K consumption from food or supplements have been reported in humans or animals.”
What is the risk of vitamin K deficiency in newborns?
Vitamin K transport across the placenta is poor, increasing the risk of vitamin K deficiency in newborn babies [ 3 ]. During the first few weeks of life, vitamin K deficiency can cause vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), a condition formerly known as “classic hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.”.
How much Vitamin K is excreted?
Vitamin K is rapidly metabolized and excreted. Based on phylloquinone measurements, the body retains only about 30% to 40% of an oral physiological dose, while about 20% is excreted in the urine and 40% to 50% in the feces via bile [ 2, 11 ].
Why is it important to take calcium and vitamin D?
Consuming adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, especially throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, is important to maximize bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis [ 27 ]. The effect of vitamin K intakes and status on bone health and osteoporosis has been a focus of scientific research.
Where is vitamin K absorbed?
Like dietary lipids and other fat-soluble vitamins, ingested vitamin K is incorporated into mixed micelles via the action of bile and pancreatic enzymes, and it is absorbed by enterocytes of the small intestine [ 10 ].
What is the role of vitamin K in the enzymatic reaction?
In humans, vitamin K is primarily a cofactor in the enzymatic reaction that converts glutamate residues into gamma-carboxyglutamate residues in vitamin K-dependent proteins. Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of vitamin K in bone health.
What is the best vitamin for osteoporosis?
Vitamin K in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and arterial calcification. Phytonadione and menaquinone may be effective for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and arterial calcification.
Does vitamin K cause bone calcification?
Several epidemiologic and intervention studies have found that vitamin K deficiency causes reductions in bone mineral density and increases the risk of fractures. Arterial calcification is an active, cell-controlled process that shares many similarities with bone metabolism.