Vitamin K injection in spontaneous bleeding and coagulopathy in severe malaria: pros and cons
Wilairatana, P.; Krudsood, S.; Tangpukdee, N.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 41(3): 514-516
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 20578536 Document Number: 646306
Not all clinicians give vitamin K to severe malaria patients with systemic bleeding. Vitamin K injections may not be useful to stop bleeding in severe malaria patients with predominant hepatocellular jaundice. However, vitamin K may be justified in bleeding patients who have prolonged fasting of more than 3-7 days, underlying malnutrition, or predominant cholestatic jaundice. The decision to give vitamin K to severe malaria patients with systemic bleeding should be based on underlying diseases, type of jaundice, risk for vitamin K deficiency, and allergy to the drug.