A Rare Case of Hemophilia: Acquired Factor VIII Deficiency

Unlike hereditary hemophilia, acquired hemophilia is a rare life-threatening bleeding disorder that occurs in a person who has no personal or family history of bleeding episodes. It usually presents with new-onset subcutaneous/joint/muscle bleeding causing ecchymoses and hematomas, hematuria, GI bleeding, retroperitoneal bleeding, or rarely acute intracranial hemorrhage in elderly individuals. The diagnosis involves assessing prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and conducting mixing studies after ruling out lupus anticoagulants and interfering substances such as heparins. Management consists of controlling hemostasis using recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) and activated prothrombin complex concentrates (aPCC), along with eradicating autoantibodies against factor VIII from the body system using immunosuppressive therapies. Due to the risk of uncontrolled bleeding in individuals who were previously normal, delayed diagnoses and recurrences are not uncommon, potentially resulting in unfavorable outcomes.