Question

The deficiency of Vitamin K causes
A. Hemorrhage
B. Lengthening of blood clotting time
C. Inflammation of lungs
D. Both (a) and (b)

Answer 1

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin K is found in nature in two forms – K1 or phylloquinone and K2 or menaquinone. It is found in plants in high concentrations. Vitamin K in humans causes blood related disorders.

Complete step by step answer:

Vitamin K is a group of fat-soluble vitamins present in very high concentrations in leafy green vegetables like Spinach, Brussel’s sprouts, lettuce, kale, etc. Animals get Vitamin K from consuming green leafy vegetables. Deficiency of Vitamin K can be due to Vitamin K1 or K2 or both.
Vitamin K serves to modify certain proteins in the body that are required for blood coagulation. Therefore, vitamin K deficiency can result in lengthening of the clotting time of blood.
Hemorrhage or bleeding is the loss of blood. It can be internal or external. Hemorrhage can occur from any part of the body. Since, deficiency of Vitamin K causes delay in blood clotting, it causes hemorrhage as well.
Inflammation of lungs can occur in two ways – inflammation of air sacs or alveoli and inflammation of pleura or the protective sheath of lungs. The clinical symptoms include dry cough, chest pain and shortness of breath. The major causes of these diseases are either viral or bacterial infections. However, Vitamin K is not associated with lung infection.
Therefore, the correct option is (d).

Additional Information: Vitamin K deficiency is very uncommon in adults. But infants are always at risk of Vitamin K deficiencies. This results from poor absorption of Vitamin K through placenta during the period of gestation. Adults with Liver diseases, cystic fibrosis or bowel disease are at risk of Vitamin K deficiency. Individuals taking anticoagulants can also suffer from Vitamin K deficiency. Clinical symptoms include blood clots under nails, excessive bleeding, or presence of blood in bowels. Affected patients are generally given oral supplements called phytonadione.

Note: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is primarily present in two forms – K1 and K2. Dietary deficiency of Vitamin K in adults is very rare. However, if the disease is detected and left untreated, it can cause excessive bleeding – internal or external. Deficiency of Vitamin K can be found in infants, irrespective of the concentration of Vitamin K in mothers and can cause alterations in facial morphology of children.