Acquired haemophilia is a rare but serious bleeding disorder caused by the spontaneous formation of autoantibodies directed against plasma coagulation factors. These inhibitors are most often directed against factor VIII (FVIII), causing the development of acquired haemophilia A. The condition is usually idiopathic but is also commonly associated with autoimmune diseases, pregnancy, cancer, infections, dermatologic conditions or use of interferon alpha.
Acquired haemophilia has a reported incidence of 1 per million persons per year, a rate that increases with age and is primarily seen in patients aged 60-80 years. Acquired haemophilia can also be acquired during or just after childbirth, most often after a first pregnancy. Paediatric cases are rarely observed, though there have been reports of transplacental crossing of maternal antibodies. The condition remains largely underdiagnosed, particularly in elderly patients who may have other bleeding comorbidities. Delayed diagnosis can significantly increase both morbidity and mortality.
How much do you know about the signs and symptoms of acquired haemophilia? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz.
Medscape © 2020 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Emmanuel C. Besa. Fast Five Quiz: Acquired Haemophilia Presentation and Diagnosis - Medscape - Dec 21, 2020.
Comments