Inherited bleeding disorders include which conditions?

• A. Hemophilia A and B
• B. Von Willebrand disease
• C. Both Hemophilia A and B and Von Willebrand
• D. Thrombocytopenia

Answer: (C)

Bleeding disorders that are inherited usually come from problems with the clotting factors or with von Willebrand factor, which helps platelets stick to damaged vessels and also protects factor VIII.

Hemophilia A and Hemophilia B are classic inherited problems of the coagulation cascade: Hemophilia A is a deficiency of factor VIII and Hemophilia B is a deficiency of factor IX. These deficiencies impair the formation of a stable fibrin clot, leading to deep tissue bleeding and joint bleeds, and they are typically inherited in an X-linked pattern.

Von Willebrand disease is another inherited condition, but it centers on von Willebrand factor, which is crucial for platelet adhesion and also carries and stabilizes factor VIII. Defects here cause mucocutaneous bleeding, such as nosebleeds, easy bruising, and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Thrombocytopenia is simply a low platelet count. There are inherited forms, but many causes are acquired, so it isn’t categorized as a classic inherited bleeding disorder in this context.

Therefore, the set of inherited bleeding disorders includes Hemophilia A, Hemophilia B, and Von Willebrand disease.