Malabsorption syndromes can cause vitamin K deficiencies

Vitamin E deficiency is rare. In the United States, deficiency is limited primarily to people with an inborn deficiency of alpha-TTP and to those who have fat malabsorption syndromes, and hence cannot absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Malabsorption syndromes that prevent the proper absorption of nutrients can cause vitamin K deficiencies. Malabsorption is the inability to absorb dietary food. Mucosal barrier to absorption: disease of small intestine. Malabsorption constitutes the pathological interference with the normal physiological sequence of digestion (intraluminal process), absorption (mucosal process) and transport (postmucosal events) of nutrients.

Vitamin K deficiency is seen in patients with malabsorption syndromes such as pancreatitis, short bowel syndrome, sprue, or small bowel states of bacterial overgrowth such as sometimes accompany use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. It also can be seen in patients with extremely poor dietary intake of green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin K is fat-soluble and therefore requires bile salts for absorption from the jejunum. Biliary obstruction, malabsorption syndromes, gastrointestinal obstruction, or rapid gastrointestinal transit can result in vitamin K deficiency because of inadequate absorption.
Malabsorption syndromes can cause vitamin K deficiencies