CUTANEOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS TO VITAMIN-K - 2 CASE-REPORTS AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Between 1964 and 1994, at least 52 patients with cutaneous adverse eff ects of vitamin K have been described in the European and North Americ an literature. A review of the details of these patients is given and 2 new cases reported. Adverse effects are seen not only in patients wi th liver-function disturbances but also in patients without liver dise ases, and occur mostly after intramuscular or subcutaneous administrat ion of vitamin K-1, independent of the total dose. Patch and intracuta neous tests often give positive reactions. The mechanism of action is probably in many patients a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.