Factor X(10) Deficiency

Factor X (10) is one of the clotting factor proteins that are needed to help the body form a blood clot to stop bleeding.  People diagnosed with Factor X (10) Deficiency do not have enough factor X (10) clotting protein in the blood.  Not having enough of any of these clotting proteins can delay the time it takes to make a blood clot and for this blood clot to be weak, causing bleeding to last longer or to stop and then start back up again.

 

Factor X (10) Deficiency is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder.  One or both parents can pass the abnormal gene for Factor X (10) Deficiency to their child.  If one parent passes the gene to their child, it is called heterozygous and usually symptoms are minimal.  If both parents pass the affected gene to their child, it is called homozygous and makes the risk for much bleeding higher because both genes are affected.

The treatment for Factor X (10) Deficiency is to replace the Factor X (10) clotting protein that the body is lacking.  Factor replacement is given through an intravenous (in the vein) infusion.  Frequency of treatment is dependent upon disease severity and bleeding history.  Treatments are either provided when a bleeding episode occurs (episodic) or to prevent a bleeding episode from occurring (prophylaxis).  Mostly, people diagnosed with Factor X (10) Deficiency only need treatment when injury occurs, before more invasive dental work and before surgeries.  Those who experience frequent bleeding and/or are diagnosed with severe Factor X (10) Deficiency will need to have treatments to prevent bleeding (prophylaxis treatments).  If prophylaxis treatments are needed, patients and caregivers will be taught how to give the factor replacement through the vein so treatments can be given at home.

 

Clotting Factor Replacement
The treatment for factor XIII (13) deficiency is to give the body more factor XIII (13).  Factor replacement is given through an intravenous (in the vein) infusion.  Frequency of treatment factor XIII (13) deficiency depends on severity and bleeding history.  Treatments are either provided when a bleeding happens (episodic) or to prevent bleeding (prophylaxis).  People diagnosed with moderate and severe factor XIII (13) deficiency often need to have prophylaxis treatments because low clotting factor levels can cause bleeding without injury.  If prophylaxis treatments are needed, patients and caregivers will be taught how to give the factor replacement through the vein so treatments can be given at home.

 

Fresh Frozen Plasma
Not all hospitals have clotting factor replacement products available.  If severe bleeding or injury occurs, fresh frozen plasma will need to be given. Fresh frozen plasma is a transfusion of plasma donated from another person.  It contains all clotting factors and will help the body to stop bleeding.

 

Amicar/Lysteda (Aminocaproic Acid/Tranexamic Acid)
Amicar and Lysteda are oral medications that work very well for bleeding of mucous membranes such as nose and mouth bleeding.  Lysteda is also used for heavy menstrual bleeding.  When bleeding occurs, the body tries to heal the area by making a clot that will plug the hole to stop bleeding. This clot will stay there for about four days.  After these four days, chemicals in the body are triggered to breakdown the clot. This is called fibrinolysis. Amicar and Lysteda are called anti-fibrinolytic medications because it stops fibrinolysis. A person with a bleeding disorder needs more time for healing because they cannot make a strong clot to heal the area of bleeding. Amicar and Lysteda stops the body from breaking the clot down.  This gives the blood vessels more time to completely heal and prevents prolonged bleeding and rebleeding.