Vitamin K injection in spontaneous bleeding and coagulopathy in severe malaria: pros and cons.
Not all clinicians give vitamin K to severe malaria patients with systemic bleeding. Vitamin K injections may not be useful to stop bleeding in severe malaria patients with predominant hepatocellular jaundice. However, vitamin K may be justified in bleeding patients who have prolonged fasting of more than 3-7 days, underlying malnutrition, or predominant cholestatic jaundice. The decision to give vitamin K to severe malaria patients with systemic bleeding should be based on underlying diseases, type of jaundice, risk for vitamin K deficiency, and allergy to the drug.
Wilairatana
Polrat
P
Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. tmpwl@mahidol.ac.th
Krudsood
Srivicha
S
Tangpukdee
Noppadon
N
D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006474:Hemorrhagic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications*; D018579:Patient Selection; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014812:Vitamin K