Importance of Vitamin K prophylaxis in prevention of antibiotic induced coagulopathy

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of vitamin K prophylaxis in prevention of antibiotic induced coagulopathy in children on long-term (10 days) antibiotic therapy. Methodology: It was a randomized controlled trial conducted at Pediatric ward of Nawaz Sharif social security Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan over a period of six months from December 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014. A total of 60 patients were included in this study and were divided into two groups. Both groups were given ceftriaxone for 10; Group-A was given vitamin K, 5mg intravenously single dose on day third of antibiotic therapy and Group-B served as control and vitamin K was not given. Results: Mean age was 1.84 +/- 2.5 and 1.16 +/- 1.0 in group-A and B, respectively. Protime (PT) was within normal range in all patients (100.0%) of group A and 22 patients (73.3%) in group B. APTT was normal in all patients (100.0%) in group-A and 22 patients (73.3%) in group-B. Coagulopathy was prevented in all patients (100%) in group-A and in 22 patients (73.3%) in group-B. The difference between two groups was statistically significant. Conclusion: PT and APTT should be monitored and Vitamin K should be administered to all patients on prolonged antibiotics to prevent coagulopathy. Patients under one year and with poor nutritional status are more susceptible to vitamin K deficiency and coagulopathy.