Bleeding Disorders

HAEMOPHILIA

Haemophilia is an inherited disorder that prevents normal clotting of blood. It is caused by the absence of proteins in the blood known as clotting factors. Most cases of haemophilia are caused by deficiencies in factor VIII or factor IX. 

A bleeding disorder may be mild, moderate or severe, depending upon the level of clotting factor in an individual’s blood. People with severe haemophilia require frequent infusions of clotting factor concentrates.

VON WILLEBRAND DISEASE

Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder caused by a defect or deficiency of a blood clotting protein called von Willebrand Factor. The disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder and affects both males and females. Erik von Willebrand, an internist from Finland, first discovered the disease in 1926.

People with VWD commonly have easy bruising and bleeding from mucosal surfaces (such as nosebleeds), bleeding with dental procedures, and for women and adolescent girls, heavy menstrual bleeding. There can also be bleeding with surgical procedures. In patients with milder forms of the disease, the diagnosis of this bleeding disorder can be difficult.