Bleeding disorders

• Alternative Names

  Coagulopathy

• Causes, incidence, and risk factors

  Normal blood clotting involves as many as 20 different plasma proteins, which are known as blood clotting or coagulation factors. These factors act together with other chemicals to form a substance called fibrin that stops bleeding.

  

  See more about:
  Blood clotting

  Problems can occur 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 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 having poorly working or too few of the blood cells that promote blood clotting (platelets). These disorders can also be either inherited or picked up (acquired). The side effects of certain drugs often lead to the acquired forms.

• Symptoms
  • Abnormal menstrual bleeding
  • Bleeding into joints
  • Excessive bruising
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Nosebleeds

  Which problems occur depends on the specific bleeding disorder.

• Signs and tests
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Bleeding time
  • Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
  • Platelet aggregation test
  • Prothrombin time (PT)
• Treatment

  Treatment depends on the type of disorder. It may include:

  • Factor replacement
  • Fresh frozen plasma transfusion
  • Platelet transfusion
  • Other therapies
• Expectations (prognosis)

  The outcome also depends on the disorder. Most primary bleeding disorders can be managed. Those due to diseases, such as DIC, depend on how well the disease is treated.

• Complications
  • Bleeding in the brain
  • Severe bleeding (usually from the gastrointestinal tract or injuries)

  Other complications can occur, depending on the disorder.

• Calling your health care provider

  Call your health care provider if you notice any unusual or severe bleeding.

• Prevention

  Prevention depends on the specific disorder.

• References

  Kessler C. Hemorrhagic disorders: Coagulation factor deficiencies. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 180.

Review Date: 3/2/2009

Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.