Vitamin k and parenteral nutrition

Abstract

Vitamin K deficiency is a common problem in the intensive care unit and a frequent cause of coagulopathy. Causes of vitamin K deficiency in the intensive care unit include prior deficiency, antibiotics, malabsorption, warfarin, and poor oral or enteral nutrition intake for prolonged periods of time and increased requirements. Vitamin K deficiency may also occur in patients totally dependent on parenteral nutrition depending on the parenteral nutrition prescription. For parenteral nutrition, vitamin K can be administered separately as an intravenous supplement, as part of lipid emulsions, or via a multivitamin commercial preparation. This chapter summarizes the role of vitamin K, its requirements, and its parenteral administration, safety, efficacy, and toxicity.