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

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Hematology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Diarrheal illnesses can lead to vitamin K deficiency, impacting blood clotting.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding is a potential complication in children with prolonged diarrhea.
• Assessing vitamin K status is crucial for managing bleeding risks in pediatric patients with diarrhea.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of vitamin K deficiency in children experiencing acute and intractable diarrhea.
• To evaluate the impact of vitamin K deficiency on bleeding complications in these patients.
• To assess the efficacy of vitamin K administration in correcting coagulation abnormalities.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study involving 90 children with diarrhea and 30 healthy controls.
• Measurement of coagulation parameters including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and specific coagulation factors.
• Administration of vitamin K (3 mg) to patients with prolonged PT and/or APTT, followed by re-evaluation of coagulation status.

Main Results:

• Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred more frequently in children with intractable diarrhea (20.7%) compared to acute diarrhea (4.9%).
• Prolonged PT levels were observed in both acute and intractable diarrhea groups.
• Vitamin K administration led to significant improvements in PT, APTT, and coagulation factor levels.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin K deficiency is a concern in children with diarrhea, correlating with increased bleeding risk.
• Prompt administration of vitamin K can effectively correct coagulation derangements in children with diarrhea.
• Monitoring and supplementation of vitamin K are recommended for pediatric patients with prolonged diarrheal illness and bleeding tendencies.