Vitamin K Deficiency Embryopathy from Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Abstract EN

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.