Cystic Fibrosis commonly leads to deficiency of which vitamins due to fat malabsorption?

Cystic Fibrosis commonly leads to deficiency of which vitamins due to fat malabsorption?

• A. Deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K
• B. Deficiency of Vitamin C
• C. Deficiency of Vitamin B12
• D. Deficiency of iron

Answer: (A)

Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K are the ones most affected in cystic fibrosis because fat digestion and absorption are impaired. CF commonly causes exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, leading to reduced lipase activity and fat malabsorption with steatorrhea. Since these vitamins dissolve in fat and are absorbed with dietary fats, their uptake drops when fat absorption is poor, resulting in deficiencies of all four. This pattern fits CF patients who may develop night blindness (vitamin A), bone problems or hypocalcemia from vitamin D deficiency, bleeding tendencies from vitamin K deficiency, and possible neuromuscular or hemolytic issues from vitamin E deficiency. Vitamin C, vitamins B12, and iron are not primarily tied to fat absorption, so their deficiencies aren’t the hallmark of CF’s fat-malabsorption picture.

Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K are the ones most affected in cystic fibrosis because fat digestion and absorption are impaired. CF commonly causes exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, leading to reduced lipase activity and fat malabsorption with steatorrhea. Since these vitamins dissolve in fat and are absorbed with dietary fats, their uptake drops when fat absorption is poor, resulting in deficiencies of all four.

This pattern fits CF patients who may develop night blindness (vitamin A), bone problems or hypocalcemia from vitamin D deficiency, bleeding tendencies from vitamin K deficiency, and possible neuromuscular or hemolytic issues from vitamin E deficiency. Vitamin C, vitamins B12, and iron are not primarily tied to fat absorption, so their deficiencies aren’t the hallmark of CF’s fat-malabsorption picture.