Efficacy of high dose phylloquinone in correcting vitamin K deficiency in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Subclinical deficiencies of vitamin K are universally present in unsupplemented cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The dose required to prevent deficiencies cannot be estimated from the existing literature. The aim of this study is determine if a supplemental dose of 1 mg/day or 5 mg/day vitamin K1 per day would normalize vitamin K status in a population of children with cystic fibrosis.

Gap analysis of pediatric reference intervals related to thyroid hormones and the growth hormone-insulin growth factor axis.

Efficacy of laboratory medicine in assisting attending physicians in their diagnostic and follow-up endeavors is intimately linked to an access to meaningful and reliable reference values. Pediatrics is particularly sensitive to this problem as the processes, associated with growth and development, are imposing rapid discontinuous changes on the physiology of the individuals. Some developmental stages are more critical than others.