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Article
November 1972

Hemorrhagic Diathesis and Cystic Fibrosis in Infancy

Author Affiliations

Kansas City, Kan
From the Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan. Dr. Walters is now with the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, and Dr. Koch is now at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Tex.

Am J Dis Child. 1972;124(5):641-642. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1972.02110170019002
Abstract

Four infants, 1 to 4 months of age, with cystic fibrosis, had severe bleeding caused by vitamin K deficiency and hypoprothrombinemia. The decreased prothrombin activity was attributed to poor dietary intake, malabsorption caused by pancreatic disease, and decreased synthesis following the administration of antibiotics. Second stage coagulation defects can be responsible for the presenting symptom of cystic fibrosis in early infancy. In infants with unexplained prolongation of the prothrombin time, the possibiliity of cystic fibrosis should be evaluated. Supplemental vitamin K should be administered to infants with cystic fibrosis.

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