THE occurrence of hypoprothrombinemia, with consequent hemorrhagic diathesis in the
absence of jaundice has been noted in patients suffering from nontropical sprue, from
ulcerative colitis and from a variety of other intestinal disorders associated with diminished
intestinal absorption. 1 Moderately decreased plasma prothrombin has also been described
in cachectic patients. 2 On the basis of observation of prolonged coagulation times in
patients with celiac disease, it was surmised 3 that their tendency for bleeding may be …