Why do We Need Vitamin K

Vitamin K
Used mainly in clotting and anticoagulation activities.

Vitamin K deficiency occurs in several situation
1.Fat malabsorption syndrome.
(a disorders in which the small intestine can't absorb enough of certain nutrients and fluids. Nutrients that the small intestine often has trouble absorbing can be macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), or both.)

2.After destruction of Vit K- synthesizing gut flora by antibiotic.

3.Following birth of newborns.Liver reserves small amount,the gut flora has not developed,level of Vit K in breast milk is small.

4.Diffuse liver disease.

Consequences
In adult,it causes bleeding diathesis.
It means unusual susceptibility to bleed (hemorrhage) mostly due to hypocoagulability (a condition of irregular and slow blood clotting), in turn caused by a coagulopathy (a defect in the system of coagulation).

This result in
a)Hematomas(solid swellings of clotted blood within the tissues)

b) hematuria (blood in urine)

c)melena(black tarry stools, which usually occurs as a result of upper gastrointestinal bleeding)

d)ecchymoses(discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath, typically caused by bruising)

e)Bleeding from the gums.