Factor VII deficiency

Factor VII (seven) deficiency is a disorder caused by a lack of a protein called factor VII in the blood. It leads to problems with blood clotting (coagulation).

Causes

When you bleed, a series of reactions take place in the body that helps blood clots form. This process is called the coagulation cascade. It involves special proteins called coagulation, or clotting, factors. You may have a higher chance of excess bleeding if one or more of these factors are missing or are not functioning like they should.

Factor VII is one such coagulation factor. Factor VII deficiency runs in families (inherited) and is very rare. Both parents must have the gene to pass the disorder on to their children. A family history of a bleeding disorder can be a risk factor.

Factor VII deficiency can also be due to another condition or use of certain medicines. This is called acquired factor VII deficiency. It can be caused by:

• Low vitamin K (some babies are born with vitamin K deficiency)
• Severe liver disease
• Use of medicines that prevent clotting (anticoagulants such as warfarin)

Symptoms

Symptoms may include any of the following:

• Bleeding from mucus membranes
• Bleeding into joints
• Bleeding into muscles
• Bruising easily

  Bruising

  Bleeding into the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in la...

  

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• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Nosebleeds that do not stop easily

  Nosebleeds

  A nosebleed is loss of blood from the tissue lining the nose. Bleeding most often occurs in 1 nostril only.

  

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• Umbilical cord bleeding after birth

Exams and Tests

Tests that may be done include:

• Partial thromboplastin time ( PTT )

  PTT

  Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is a blood test that looks at how long it takes for blood to clot. It can help tell if you have a bleeding problem...

   

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• Plasma factor VII activity

  Factor VII activity

  The factor VII assay is a blood test to measure the activity of factor VII. This is one of the proteins in the body that helps the blood clot....

   

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• Prothrombin time ( PT )

  PT

  Prothrombin time (PT) is a blood test that measures the time it takes for the liquid portion (plasma) of your blood to clot. A related blood test is ...

   

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• Mixing study

Treatment

Bleeding can be controlled by getting intravenous (IV) infusions of normal plasma, concentrates of factor VII, or genetically produced (recombinant) factor VII.

You will need frequent treatment during bleeding episodes because factor VII does not last for long inside the body. A form of factor VII called NovoSeven can also be used.

If you have factor VII deficiency due to a lack of vitamin K, you can take this vitamin by mouth, through injections under the skin, or through a vein (intravenously).

If you have this bleeding disorder, be sure to:

• Tell your health care providers before you have any kind of procedure, including surgery and dental work.
• Tell your family members because they may have the same disorder but do not know it yet.

Support Groups

Find out more about bleeding disorders through these groups:

American Society of Hematology -- www.hematology.org/Patients/Blood-Disorders.aspx

National Hemophilia Foundation: Other Factor Deficiencies -- www.hemophilia.org/Bleeding-Disorders/Types-of-Bleeding-Disorders/Other-Factor-Deficiencies

Victory for Women with Blood Disorders -- www.hemophilia.org/Community-Resources/Women-with-Bleeding-Disorders/Victory-for-Women-with-Blood-Disorders

Outlook (Prognosis)

You can expect a good outcome with proper treatment.

Inherited factor VII deficiency is a lifelong condition.

The outlook for acquired factor II deficiency depends on the cause. If it is caused by liver disease, the outcome depends on how well your liver disease can be treated. Taking vitamin K supplements will treat vitamin K deficiency.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

• Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Stroke or other nervous system problems from central nervous system bleeding

  Stroke

  A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...

  

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• Joint problems in severe cases when bleeding happens often

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Get emergency treatment right away if you have severe, unexplained bleeding.

Prevention

There is no known prevention for inherited factor VII deficiency. When a lack of vitamin K is the cause, using vitamin K can help.