A deficiency of vitamin K may be associated with an embryopathy.
Vitamin K deficiency embryopathy is related to warfarin/coumadin-associated embryopathy.
Causes:
(1) hyperemesis gravidarum
(2) severe malnutrition
(3) malabsorption
(4) genetic defect in vitamin K metabolism in the mother and/or fetus (epoxide reductase deficiency, other)
Clinical manifestations:
(1) craniofacial malformation, including Binder phenotype (maxillonasal hypoplasia)
(2) brachytelephalangic chondrodysplasia punctata
(3) cervical spine abnormalities (related to chondrodysplasia)
(4) variable ear deformities
where:
• Normal cartilage is rich in vitamin K-dependent protein matrix gla protein.
