The Intestinal Microflora of Infants: Fecal Flora of Infants with Vitamin K Deficiency

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Abstract
The fecal flora of 10 infants with vitamin K deficiency (VKD) and 10 healthy infants was examined. All the infants were breast-fed. In the infants with VKD, the total counts (P < 0.01) and the numbers of bifidobacteria (P < 0.001) were lower than in the healthy infants; bacteroides, veillonella and enterococci were present in greater numbers in the feces of infants with VKD. The incidence of the Bacteroides fragilis group was higher (P < 0.05) in the infants with VKD than in the healthy infants. A significant reduction (P < 0.05) in Bifidobacterium breve was shown in the infants with VKD. The data emphasize the abnormal flora in infants with VKD.