The normal blood clotting process depends on the presence in the blood of
a number of proteins. If any one of these proteins is missing from the blood,
normal clotting may not occur. In most cases the deficiency is genetic. This
means that the person was born with the deficiency and has it for the rest
of his or her life. They may pass it onto their children.
The severity of the bleeding disorder can vary from mild to severe but remains
constant for a particular person during their lifetime and is also usually
constant within a family. People with mild bleeding disorders may be unaware
that they are affected until they undergo surgery or suffer some trauma. Although
these conditions are not at present curable, effective treatment is available.
The commonest types of inherited bleeding disorders are von
Willebrand's disorder, Haemophilia A (a deficiency
of Factor VIII) and Haemophilia B (a deficiency of
Factor IX), also known as Christmas Disease. Deficiencies of other clotting
factors as well as abnormalities of platelet function can also cause bleeding
disorders.
This page last updated: November 2004
Review date: June 2005
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© The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2008.