Wilms' tumour with acquired von Willebrand's disease

A young infant with Wilms' tumour was found to have acquired von Willebrand's syndrome but no bleeding symptoms. Neither parent of the infant had evidence of von Willebrand's syndrome. Postoperatively, after removal of the tumour, factor VIII complex levels returned to normal. The mechanism of the acquired von Willebrand's syndrome was unclear. No evidence was found of an inhibitor of factor VIII complex or entrapment of factor VIII in the tumour.