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Alternative names
CoagulopathyDefinition Return to top
Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions of the blood clotting (coagulation) system in which bleeding is prolonged and excessive.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Normal blood coagulation is a complex process involving as many as 20 different plasma proteins, which are known as blood clotting or coagulation factors. Normally, these factors interact with other chemicals to form a substance called fibrin that stops bleeding. When certain coagulation factors are deficient or missing, the process is impaired. Bleeding problems can range from mild to severe.
Some bleeding disorders are present at birth and are caused by rare inherited disorders. Others are developed during certain illnesses (such as vitamin K deficiency or severe liver disease), or treatments (such as use of anticoagulant drugs or prolonged use of antibiotics).
Bleeding disorders can also result from a decreased number of (or impaired function of) platelets, the blood cells that promote blood clotting. These disorders can also be either inherited or acquired. The acquired forms often arise from the side effects of certain drugs.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Specific abnormalities depend on the specific bleeding disorder.
Treatment Return to top
Treatment depends on the specific disorder. It may include factor replacement, fresh frozen plasma transfusion, platelet transfusion, or other therapies.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Prognosis also depends on the specific disorder. Most primary bleeding disorders can be successfully managed. Those due to underlying diseases, such as DIC, depend on the success of treatment for the disease.Complications Return to top
Other complications can result, depending on the specific disorder.
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if you notice any unusual or severe bleeding.Prevention Return to top
Prevention depends on the specific disorder. Update Date: 6/5/2003 Updated by: Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |