Answer: D - Vitamin K deficiency is caused by malabsorption of fat. This is commonly due to pancreatic and GI dysfunction.
Vitamin K deficiency, primarily caused by malabsorption of fat, is a significant concern with direct relevance to dental practices. This connection stems from the critical role vitamin K plays in blood coagulation, a process integral to many dental procedures.
Vitamin K functions as a cofactor for the enzyme γ-glutamyl carboxylase, which catalyzes the carboxylation of specific glutamate residues on the prothrombin complex proteins, including Factors II, VII, IX, and X. These modified proteins are essential for the blood coagulation cascade. In the absence of adequate vitamin K, these clotting factors remain in their inactive precursors form, leading to impaired coagulation.
In the context of dentistry, effective blood clotting is crucial, particularly during surgical procedures like tooth extractions, periodontal surgeries, or implant placements. Patients with vitamin K deficiency can present increased bleeding risks during and after these procedures. This is why understanding a patient's nutritional status, including potential vitamin K deficiency, is vital for dental professionals.
Vitamin K deficiency is most commonly caused by fat malabsorption. Since vitamin K is fat-soluble, conditions that impair fat absorption, such as diseases of the liver, pancreas, or intestines, can lead to its deficiency. Additionally, prolonged use of certain antibiotics can disrupt gut flora, impacting vitamin K synthesis, as some of it is produced by bacteria in the gut.
Given these factors, dentists should be aware of the signs of vitamin K deficiency and consider it when planning treatments, especially in patients with known malabsorption issues or those on long-term antibiotics. Preoperative assessment of clotting status and collaboration with the patient's primary care physician or a hematologist for management can be crucial in these cases to ensure safe and effective dental care.
