Korean Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition  2005;8(2):257-262

Bleeding due to Vitamin K Deficiency as Presenting Symptom of Cholestasis.

Won Tae BAE 1 ; Jung Sook YEOM ; Eun Sil PARK ; Ji Hyun SEO ; Jae Young LIM ; Chan Hoo PARK ; Hyang Ok WOO ; Hee Shang YOUN

Affiliations

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Keywords

Bleeding; Vitamin K; Cholestasis

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Clinical findings in neonates and infants with cholestasis characteristically include prolonged jaundice, acholic stool, pruritus and failure to thrive. We report two cases of cholestasis presenting with spontaneous bleeding due to vitamin K deficiency. Laboratory studies on admission revealed moderate liver dysfunction and a bleeding tendency due to vitamin K deficiency. After administration of vitamin K, the bleeding tendency disappeared. Vitamin K deficiency was resulting from a combination of cholestasis-induced fat malabsorption and low vitamin K supplementation due to breast-milk feeding. Cholestasis should be considered in neonate and infant with a bleeding tendency.