Factor V deficiency: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Factor V deficiency is a condition that is passed down through families, which affects the ability of the blood to clot.

T Causes
P Blood clotting is a complex process involving as many as 20 different proteins in blood plasma. These proteins are called blood coagulation factors.
P Factor V deficiency is caused by a lack of Factor V. When certain blood clotting factors are low or missing, your blood does not clot properly.
P Factor V deficiency is rare. It may be caused by:
- A defective Factor V gene passed down through families (inherited)
- An antibody that interferes with normal Factor V function
P You can get an antibody that interferes with Factor V:
- After giving birth
- After being treated with a certain type of fibrin glue
- After surgery
- With autoimmune diseases and certain cancers
P Sometimes the cause is unknown.
P The disease is similar to hemophilia, except bleeding into joints is less common. In the inherited form of Factor V deficiency, a family history of a bleeding disorder is a risk factor.

T Symptoms
P Excessive bleeding with menstrual periods and after childbirth often occurs. Other symptoms can include:
- Bleeding into the skin
- Bleeding of the gums
- Excessive bruising
- Nosebleeds
- Prolonged or excessive loss of blood with surgery or trauma
- Umbilical stump bleeding

T Exams and Tests
P Tests to detect Factor V deficiency include:
- Factor V assay
- Blood clotting tests, including partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and prothrombin time
- Bleeding time

T Treatment
P You will be given fresh blood plasma or fresh frozen plasma infusions during a bleeding episode or after surgery. These treatments will correct the deficiency temporarily.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P The outlook is good with diagnosis and proper treatment.

T Possible Complications
P Severe bleeding (hemorrhage) could occur.

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have an unexplained or prolonged loss of blood.

T Alternative Names
P Parahemophilia; Owren disease; Bleeding disorder - Factor V deficiency

T Images
- Blood clot formation
- Blood clots

T References
P Gailani D, Neff AT. Rare coagulation factor deficiencies. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, Heslop HE, Weitz JI, Anastasi J, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 139.
P Ragni MV. Hemorrhagic disorders In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 174.
P Scott JP, Flood VH. Hereditary clotting factor deficiencies (bleeding disorders). In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 476.

T Review Date 2/1/2016
P Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

