Factor VII deficiency

Factor VII Deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder characterized by a deficiency or reduced activity of clotting factor VII. This is an inherited disease, which varies in severity among affected individuals. The signs, and symptoms of this condition can begin at any age, however the most severe cases are apparent in infancy. Up to one-third of people with factor VII deficiency never have any bleeding problems. Common symptoms of factor VII deficiency include nosebleeds (epistaxis), easy bruising, bleeding of the gums or excessive bleeding following surgery or physical injury. Occasionally people with this diagnosis experience bleeding into joint spaces (hemarthrosis) and blood in the urine (hematuria). Many women with factor VII deficiency have heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Patients with severe factor VII deficiency have an increased risk of bleeding inside the skull or in the gastrointestinal tract, which can be life threatening. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and might include factor VII replacement by an intravenous infusion. Factor VII deficiency is caused by mutations of the F7 gene and is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder.