Vitamin K Deficiency Embryopathy from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Abstract

A 21-year-old primigravida had a pregnancy complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) beginning at 7-week gestation. Despite medical therapy, she lost 18% of her prepregnancy weight. Early ultrasound at 14 weeks demonstrated a flattened facial profile with nasal hypoplasia (Binder phenotype) consistent with vitamin K deficiency from HG. She had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy tube placed for enteral feeding at 15-week gestation. At repeated anatomy ultrasound at 21-week gestation, delivery, and postnatal pediatric genetics exam, nasal hypoplasia was consistent with vitamin K deficiency embryopathy from HG. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is a common condition. HG, the most severe form, has many maternal and fetal effects. Evaluation of vitamin K status could potentially prevent this rare and disfiguring embryopathy.

• Authors: Andrew S Lane, Jennifer L Stallworth, Kacey Y Eichelberger, Kenneth F Trofatter
• Journal: Case reports in obstetrics and gynecology (Case Rep Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 2015 Pg. 324173 ( 2015) ISSN: 2090-6684 [Print] United States
• PMID: 26347836 (Publication Type: Journal Article)