Vitamin K Deficiency Embryopathy from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
A 21-year-old primigravida had a pregnancy complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) beginning at 7-week gestation. Despite medical therapy, she lost 18% of her prepregnancy weight. Early ultrasound at 14 weeks demonstrated a flattened facial profile with nasal hypoplasia (Binder phenotype) consistent with vitamin K deficiency from HG. She had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy tube placed for enteral feeding at 15-week gestation. At repeated anatomy ultrasound at 21-week gestation, delivery, and postnatal pediatric genetics exam, nasal hypoplasia was consistent with vitamin K deficiency embryopathy from HG. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is a common condition. HG, the most severe form, has many maternal and fetal effects. Evaluation of vitamin K status could potentially prevent this rare and disfiguring embryopathy.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Greenville Health System, 890 W. Faris Road, Suite 470, Greenville, SC 29605, USA.
Andrew S
AS
Lane
Greenwood Genetic Center, 14 Edgewood Drive, Greenville, SC 29605, USA.
Jennifer L
JL
Stallworth
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Greenville Health System, 890 W. Faris Road, Suite 470, Greenville, SC 29605, USA.
Kacey Y
KY
Eichelberger
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Greenville Health System, 890 W. Faris Road, Suite 470, Greenville, SC 29605, USA.
Kenneth F
KF
Trofatter