Breast milk is deficient in which vitamin
**Core Concept**
Breast milk is a complete source of nutrition for infants, providing all necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, except for a few. Vitamin deficiencies in breast milk can have significant implications for infant health.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Vitamin K is the correct answer because breast milk is known to be relatively low in vitamin K, particularly in the first few weeks of life. This is because vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, and its absorption depends on the presence of bile salts, which are not abundantly present in breast milk.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Vitamin A is present in sufficient amounts in breast milk. **Option B:** Vitamin C is also adequately provided in breast milk. **Option D:** Vitamin E is present in breast milk, although the amount may vary.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It is essential to note that newborns are at risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding, and therefore, vitamin K supplementation is often recommended at birth. This highlights the importance of vitamin K in the neonatal period.
**Correct Answer:** D. Vitamin K