title: Unexpected vitamin K deficiency in hospitalized patients.
abstract: Twenty-seven patients developed vitamin K deficiency unexpectedly in the postoperative period or during hospitalization for a variety of medical conditions. Twenty-two of the patients were on antibiiotics. Nineteen were on no oral intake during part of their hospital stay, and the remainder had a poor food intake. Fifty percent developed vitamin K deficiency within seven days. It is suggested that the rapid onset of vitamin K deficiency in these patients may have been due to a combination of the use of multiple antibiotics and poor food intake.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000150:complications; D004435:Eating; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D013997:Time Factors; D014813:Vitamin K Deficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents