Combined clotting factor deficiencies: experience at a single hemophilia treatment center

Familial Multiple Coagulation Factor Deficiencies (FMCFDs) in a Large Cohort of Patients-A Single-Center Experience in Genetic Diagnosis

Background: Familial multiple coagulation factor deficiencies (FMCFDs) are a group of inherited hemostatic disorders with the simultaneous reduction of plasma activity of at least two coagulation factors. As consequence, the type and severity of symptoms and the management of bleeding/thrombotic episodes vary among patients. The aim of this study was to identify the underlying genetic defect in patients with FMCFDs. Methods: Activity levels were collected from the largest cohort of laboratory-diagnosed FMCFD patients described so far. Genetic analysis was performed using next-generation sequencing. Results: In total, 52 FMCFDs resulted from coincidental co-inheritance of single-factor deficiencies. All coagulation factors (except factor XII (FXII)) were involved in different combinations. Factor VII (FVII) deficiency showed the highest prevalence. The second group summarized 21 patients with FMCFDs due to a single-gene defect resulting in combined FV/FVIII deficiency or vitamin K–dependent coagulation factor deficiency. In the third group, nine patients with a combined deficiency of FVII and FX caused by the partial deletion of chromosome 13 were identified. The majority of patients exhibited bleeding symptoms while thrombotic events were uncommon. Conclusions: FMCFDs are heritable abnormalities of hemostasis with a very low population frequency rendering them orphan diseases. A combination of comprehensive screening of residual activities and molecular genetic analysis could avoid under- and misdiagnosis.

Familial multiple coagulation factor deficiencies - chance associations and distinct clinical disorders

The familial multiple coagulation factor deficiencies (FMCFDs) are a group of rare haemostatic disorders of genetic origin in which there is reduced plasma activity of more than one coagulation factor. FMCFDs may arise from co-incidental inheritance of separate coagulation factor deficiencies or from a single genetic or cytogenetic defect. All the FMCFDs present significant challenges in diagnosis and management yet there is little systematic evidence with which to guide clinical practice. This review summarizes the historical literature that describes the FMCFDs and introduces a refined classification of these disorders. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the most common FMCFDs are considered in detail.

The spectrum of inherited bleeding disorders in pediatrics

Inherited bleeding disorders (IBDs) are caused by quantitative and qualitative alterations of either platelets or plasma proteins involved in coagulation and fibrinolysis. Hemophilias are the most frequent IBDs; however, accumulated data from various studies reported that von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common cause of IBD, with an increased incidence of platelet function defects, mostly due to the increased rate of consanguinity in some communities. VWD is an inherited disorder of homeostasis due to quantitative or qualitative defect of von Willebrand factor. Data on its epidemiology and impact in developing countries are limited. The objective of this study was to assess the local prevalence of some IBD and establish the clinical and historical variables that are predictive for those bleeding disorders in pediatrics. The study involved 43 children with various bleeding manifestations and 15 age- and sex-matched controls, recruited from the Pediatrics Hematology Clinic at the National Research Centre, Sausan Mubarek children's hospital in Cairo, Egypt and the King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Hematological profile included platelet counts and function, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, factor VIII antigen and its activity, factor IX antigen and its activity, von Willebrand factor and its activity assayed with multimeric analysis. A total of 12 (27.9%) children had VWD, 11 (25.5%) had hemophilia A, three (7%) had hemophilia B, seven (16.3%) had platelet dysfunction and 10 (23.3%) had bleeding with undiagnosed cause. Two of the VWD cases had type I, three had type II, four had type III and one case appeared to have type IIM and another to have IIB VWD. Bruising and epistaxis were the main symptoms in all children with VWD The majority of platelet dysfunction disorders were diagnosed as Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. VWD and Glanzmann's thrombasthenia should be considered not uncommon causes of IBDs in children in Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Routine hematological screening should be mandatory in children with positive family history of bruising and bleeding as a predictor for IBD.