Hidden Vitamin K Deficiencies Driving Bleeding Risks
November 10, 2025
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3 min
7 Key Takeaways
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1
Vitamin K deficiency causes 30% of coagulopathy referrals.
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2
Key markers include an FII/FIIE ratio < 0.8
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3
Rare conditions like FXIII deficiency occur 1 in 3 million.
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4
DIC score of 5+ correlates with overt DIC.
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5
Liver disease may impact coagulation factors and PT/APTT levels.
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6
Accurate diagnosis requires a structured approach and understanding of specific disorders.
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7
PT is the most sensitive initial marker for vitamin K deficiency.
Vitamin K deficiency is identified as a major contributor to coagulopathy, accounting for around 30% of referrals for abnormal bleeding diagnoses, surpassing inherited conditions. Critical diagnostic markers include an FII/FIIE ratio below 0.86 and a significant DIC scoring system correlating with overt DIC conditions. Among rare disorders, deficiencies in FXIII and combined FV and FVIII are also noted, indicating their prevalence is markedly low. Liver disease remains a common cause, affecting coagulation factors, while a structured diagnostic approach is vital for accurate assessment, as emphasized by Rabab Al Dawood and Catherine P. M. Hayward.
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