title: A study of Vitamin K status in children on prolonged antibiotic therapy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Seth GS Medical College KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India. rukhmi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rukhmi V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Deshmukh
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007020:Hypoprothrombinemias / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D007223:Infant; D007769:Lactams; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014813:Vitamin K Deficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D007769:Lactams; D014812:Vitamin K