A study of vitamin K status in children on prolonged antibiotic therapy

Vitamin K deficiency is known to cause coagulopathy and bleeding in patients on prolonged antibiotic therapy. This study was conducted to evaluate the status of vitamin K deficiency in hospitalized children on prolonged antibiotic therapy and its role in reversing the coagulopathy. A prospective non...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Indian pediatrics 2003, Vol.40 (1), p.36-40
Main Authors: BHAT, Rukhmi V, DESHMUKH, C. T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects
Antifibrinolytic Agents - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
General aspects
Hospitalization
Humans
Hypoprothrombinemias - chemically induced
Hypoprothrombinemias - prevention & control
Infant
Lactams
Medical sciences
Prospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
Vitamin K - therapeutic use
Vitamin K Deficiency - chemically induced
Vitamin K Deficiency - prevention & control
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Summary:Vitamin K deficiency is known to cause coagulopathy and bleeding in patients on prolonged antibiotic therapy. This study was conducted to evaluate the status of vitamin K deficiency in hospitalized children on prolonged antibiotic therapy and its role in reversing the coagulopathy. A prospective non-randomized study was conducted on children on antibiotic therapy at a tertiary care hospital. Children in the 1 month-1 year age group developed significant coagulopathy as compared to other age groups. Coagulation abnormalities were also seen to be more in children with greater grades of malnutrition, on a more prolonged course of antibiotics and in children who were critically ill in intensive care. Hypoprothrombinemia previously reported to be due to B-lactam antibiotics containing the N-Methyl Thio Tetrazole (NMTT) group also resulted from antibiotics without this side chain. Inhibition of intestinal microorganisms by antibiotics was thought to be a likely explanation of this phenomenon. We suggest Vitamin K prophylaxis in severely ill patients, on extended periods of antibiotics and inadequate diet to prevent morbidity and mortality.
ISSN:0019-6061
0974-7559