Bleeding disorders
Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions in which there is a problem with the body's blood clotting process. These disorders can lead to heavy and prolonged bleeding after an injury or surgery. Bleeding can also begin on its own and may be difficult to stop.
Specific bleeding disorders include:
- Acquired platelet function defects
Acquired platelet function defects
Acquired platelet function defects are conditions that prevent clotting elements in the blood called platelets from working as they should. The term...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Congenital platelet function defects
Congenital platelet function defects
Congenital platelet function defects are conditions that prevent clotting elements in the blood, called platelets, from working as they should. Plat...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation ...
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become overactive.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Prothrombin deficiency
Prothrombin deficiency
Prothrombin deficiency is a disorder caused by a lack of a protein in the blood called prothrombin. It leads to problems with blood clotting (coagul...
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Factor V deficiency
Factor V deficiency is a bleeding disorder that is passed down through families. It affects the ability of the blood to clot.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Factor VII deficiency
Factor VII deficiency
Factor VII (seven) deficiency is a disorder caused by a lack of a protein called factor VII in the blood. It leads to problems with blood clotting (...
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Factor X deficiency
Factor X (ten) deficiency is a disorder caused by a lack of a protein called factor X in the blood. It leads to problems with blood clotting (coagul...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Factor XI deficiency (hemophilia C)
- Glanzmann disease
Glanzmann disease
Glanzmann thrombasthenia is a rare disorder of blood platelets. Platelets are particles in the blood that aid in blood clotting.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Hemophilia A
Hemophilia A
Hemophilia A is a hereditary bleeding disorder caused by a lack of blood clotting factor VIII. Without enough factor VIII, the blood cannot clot pro...
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Hemophilia B
Hemophilia B is a hereditary bleeding disorder caused by a lack of blood clotting factor IX. Without enough factor IX, the blood cannot clot properl...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (IT...
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clot...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Von Willebrand disease (types I, II, and III)
Von Willebrand disease
Von Willebrand disease is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder.
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Causes
Blood clotting - Animation
This animation depicts the process of blood clotting in an enlarged view of a small artery. Cells shown include red blood cells, platelets, fibrin, and clotting factors.
Normal blood clotting involves blood particles, called platelets, and as many as 20 different plasma proteins that layer over the platelets. These proteins are known as blood clotting or coagulation factors. These factors interact with other chemicals to form a substance called fibrin that stops bleeding.
Problems can occur when platelets are low in number or do not work properly or when certain coagulation factors are low or missing. Bleeding problems can range from mild to severe.
Some bleeding disorders are present at birth and are passed down through families (inherited). Others develop from:
- Illnesses, such as vitamin K deficiency or severe liver disease
- Treatments, such as the use of drugs to stop blood clots (anticoagulants) or the long-term use of antibiotics
Bleeding disorders can also result from a problem with the number or function of platelets. These disorders can also be either inherited or develop later (acquired). The side effects of certain drugs often lead to the acquired forms.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Bleeding into joints or muscles
- Bruising easily
- Heavy bleeding
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Nosebleeds that do not stop easily
- Excessive bleeding with surgical procedures
- Umbilical cord bleeding after birth
The problems that occur depend on the specific bleeding disorder, and how severe it is.
Exams and Tests
Tests that may be done include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
Complete blood count
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Partial thromboplastin time
Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is a blood test that looks at how long it takes for blood to clot. It can help tell if you have a bleeding problem...
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Platelet aggregation test
The platelet aggregation blood test checks how well platelets, a part of blood, clump together and cause blood to clot.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Prothrombin time (PT)
Prothrombin time
Prothrombin time (PT) is a blood test that measures the time it takes for the liquid portion (plasma) of your blood to clot. It measures the functio...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Mixing study, a special PTT test to confirm the factor deficiency
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of disorder. It may include:
- Clotting factor replacement
- Fresh frozen plasma transfusion
- Platelet transfusion
- Other treatments
Support Groups
More information and support for people with bleeding disorders and their families can be found at:
- National Hemophilia Foundation -- www.hemophilia.org/bleeding-disorders-a-z/types/other-factor-deficiencies
- National Hemophilia Foundation -- www.victoryforwomen.org/
Outlook (Prognosis)
Outcome also depends on the disorder. Most primary bleeding disorders can be managed. When the disorder is due to diseases, such as DIC, the outcome will depend on how well the underlying disease can be treated.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Bleeding in the brain
- Severe bleeding (usually from the gastrointestinal tract or injuries)
Other complications can occur, depending on the disorder.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if you notice any unusual or severe bleeding.
Prevention
Prevention depends on the specific disorder.
Reviewed By
Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Monsey, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Gailani D, Benjamin TF, Wheeler AP. Rare coagulation factor deficiencies. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 135.
Hall JE, Hall ME. Hemostasis and blood coagulation. In: Hall JE, Hall ME, eds. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 37.
Neff AT. Von Willebrand disease and hemorrhagic abnormalities of platelet and vascular function. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 164.