Globally, more than 1% of the world‘s population is affected by bleeding disorders such as hemophilia A, hemophilia B or von Willebrand disease (VWD). Bleeding problems can range from mild to severe. Symptoms typically include prolonged bleeding from minor wounds and bruising easily. In severe cases, treatment of spontaneous bleeding involves prompt and proper use of clotting factor concentrates. Prophylactic treatment, which eliminates or reduces symptoms, is possible in most cases.
Hemophilia
About 80% of all people with hemophilia have hemophilia A, which is caused by a deficiency of the plasma protein called clotting factor VIII (FVIII). Hemophilia B results from the deficiency of another plasma protein: factor IX (FIX). One or more defects in the genetic coding for von Willebrand factor (VWF) are apparent in nearly 1% of the background population, but more than 90% are generally asymptomatic.
Other Rare Disorders
Other rare disorders do exist, including platelet dysfunctions, acquired bleeding and deficiencies of clotting factors I, II, V, VII, X, XI and XIII, which are necessary for coagulation.
A factor deficiency may be quantitative (too few functional molecules) or qualitative (normal levels of dysfunctional molecules).This may cause the patients to bleed for a longer time and bruise more easily than people without a deficiency, or even experience spontaneous bleeding.
Acquired Bleeding
Bleeding disorders are often inherited, but about a third of hemophilia A cases are caused by a new mutation (de novo). Acquired bleeding may occur later in life as a result of factors such as medication intake, cancer or immunological diseases.
Find out more about the different types of bleeding disorders, and learn how coagulation works:
Last Updated:
11/19/2009 10:47 AM