Severe congenital factor X deficiency with intracranial bleeding in two siblings

Abstract

Congenital factor X deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that usually presents with variable bleeding tendency, prolonged prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time. Therefore, it may be misdiagnosed as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Factor X level should be investigated for the definite diagnosis. We first report a new family whose two infants presented with severe intracranial bleeding at different times and were found to have congenital factor X deficiency. Plasma replacement therapy was not found to be efficacious in these infants. In conclusion, a possible factor X deficiency should be considered when a newborn presents with intracranial bleeding. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.