Some Observations on the Coagulation Defect in Vitamin K Deficiency

Haemorrhagic diathesis in children associated with vitamin K deficiency

“…The raised, indurated, subcutaneous haematomas have not been described before in vitamin K deficiency, although the evolution of the colour and their association in some cases with haemorrhages in mucous membranes, together with their response to treatment with vitamin K, leave little doubt as to their haemorrhagic nature. Combined deficiencies of prothrombin, factor VII, factor IX (Christmas factor), and factor X are shown to coexist in vitamin K deficiency (Douglas, 1958), a multiple deficiency similar to that found during coumarin and indandione therapy (Naeye, 1965;Sise, Kimball, and Adanis, 1955;Douglas and Mair, 1958). Such anticoagulants were not taken by the children under discussion or by their mothers.…”

Current Views on Blood Coagulation and Hæmorrhagic Disorders

“…In addition to prothrombin, the drugs referred to above affect the clotting factors VII, IX and X. A reduction of thrombin and the three other clotting factors is also seen in vitamin K deficiency due to long-standing obstructive jaundice or steatorrhcea (Douglas, 1958) and to administration of antibiotics to babies . The oral administration of anticoagulants during pregnancy should be carefully considered, because fcetal damage can be produced .…”