blood disorders
Clotting Disorders Caused by Circulating Anticoagulants
Factor VIII and factor IX inhibitors
Antibodies to factor VIII develop in about 30% of people with severe Hemophilia . The antibodies develop as a complication of repeated exposure to normal factor VIII molecules that are given to treat the hemophilia. Similarly, people with severe Factor VIII autoantibodies also arise occasionally in people without hemophilia. For example, factor VIII anticoagulants may develop in women who have just given birth or in people who have an autoimmune disorder, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or People with a factor VIII anticoagulant can develop life-threatening bleeding. Blood tests are done, including measurement of the amount of factor VIII or the amount of factor IX. In postpartum women, the autoantibodies may disappear spontaneously. Otherwise, people without hemophilia may be given drugs such ascyclophosphamide, corticosteroids, orrituximabto suppress autoantibody production. People with antibodies to factor VIII who are bleeding may also be given activated factor VII. Several medications are available or being tested for use to control bleeding in people with hemophilia and isoantibodies to factor VIII or factor IX. 