THE BOWEL is the site of absorption of vitamin K and its synthesis by micro-organisms.
Pathological states in the alimentary canal may therefore be reflected in a lowered plasma
prothrombin level. Hypoprothrombinemia of enteral origin is known to occur in severe
protracted diarrhea 1 and in several other conditions, all having in common an impairment of
intestinal absorption. 2 Interest in prothrombin in the pediatric literature has centered around
hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. In older infants no marked difference in prothrombin …