Hemophilia B Differential Diagnoses
- Author: Robert A Zaiden, MD; Chief Editor: Steven C Dronen, MD, FAAEM more...
Diagnostic Considerations
Problems to be considered include vitamin K and other factor deficiencies, as well as acquired hemophilia. Other congenital bleeding disorders must be excluded. These may include the following:
- von Willebrand disease (autosomal dominant transmission)
- Platelet disorders (eg, Glanzmann thrombasthenia)
- Deficiency of other coagulation factors (ie, factor V [FV], FVII, FX, FXI, or fibrinogen)
Differentiating between severe hemophilia A and hemophilia B is almost clinically impossible, but specific laboratory factor assays can help with the distinction. Conditions that can increase FVIII levels (eg, age, ABO blood type, stress, exercise) can obscure the diagnosis of hemophilia A. The diagnosis of hemophilia B may be delayed by physiologically low levels of all vitamin K–dependent coagulation factors. FIX Leyden, in which FIX levels progressively increase after puberty to nearly normal values, must also be considered when hemophilia B is diagnosed.
For related information, see Hemophilia A, Acquired Hemophilia, and Hemophilia C.
Differential Diagnoses
- Dermatofibrosis Lenticularis (Buschke-Ollendorf Syndrome)
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Factor V
- Factor VII
- Factor XI Deficiency
- Glanzmann Thrombasthenia
- Hemophilia C
- Hemophilia, Type A
- Physical Child Abuse
- Platelet Disorders
- von Willebrand Disease
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| Classification | Factor Activity, % | Cause of Hemorrhage |
| Mild | >5-40 | Major trauma or surgery |
| Moderate | 1-5 | Mild-to-moderate trauma |
| Severe | < 1 | Spontaneous, hemarthrosis |
| Indication or Site of Bleeding | Factor level Desired, % | FIX Dose, IU/kg* | Comment |
| Severe epistaxis; mouth, lip, tongue, or dental work | 20-50 | 20-50 | Consider aminocaproic acid (Amicar), 1-2 d |
| Joint (hip or groin) | 40 | 40 | Repeat transfusion in 24-48 h |
| Soft tissue or muscle | 20-40 | 40 | No therapy if site small and not enlarging (transfuse if enlarging) |
| Muscle (calf and forearm) | 30-40 | 40 | None |
| Muscle deep (thigh, hip, iliopsoas) | 40-60 | 40-60 | Transfuse, repeat at 24 h, then as needed |
| Neck or throat | 50-80 | 50-80 | None |
| Hematuria | 40 | 40 | Transfuse to 40% then rest and hydration |
| Laceration | 40 | 40 | Transfuse until wound healed |
| GI or retroperitoneal bleeding | 60-80 | 60-80 | None |
| Head trauma (no evidence of CNS bleeding) | 50 | 50 | None |
| Head trauma (probable or definite CNS bleeding, eg, headache, vomiting, neurologic signs) | 100 | 100 | Maintain peak and trough factor levels at 100% and 50% for 14 d if CNS bleeding documented† |
| Trauma with bleeding, surgery† | 80-100 | 100 | 10-14 d |

