What Is von Willebrand Disease? - World Federation of Hemophilia

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Published by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)© World Federation of Hemophilia, 2008The WFH encourages redistribution of its publications foreducational purposes by not-for-profit hemophilia organizations.To obtain permission to reprint, redistribute, or translate thispublication, please contact the Communications Department at theaddress below.This publication is accessible from the WFH website at www.wfh.org.Additional print copies can be ordered from:World Federation of Hemophilia1425 René Lévesque Boulevard West, Suite 1010Montréal, Québec H3G 1T7CANADATel.: (514) 875-7944Fax: (514) 875-8916E-mail: wfh@wfh.org
What is von Willebrand disease (VWD)?von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder. Peoplewith VWD have a problem with a protein in their blood that helpscontrol bleeding. They do not have enough of the protein or itdoes not work the way it should. It takes longer for blood to clotand for bleeding to stop.There are different types of VWD. All are caused by a problem withthe von Willebrand factor (VWF) protein. When a blood vessel isinjured and bleeding occurs, VWF helps cells in the blood, calledplatelets, mesh together and form a clot to stop the bleeding.VWD is the most common bleeding disorder that people have. Itaffects both males and females. VWD is generally less severe thanother bleeding disorders. Many people with VWD may not knowthat they have the disorder because their bleeding symptoms arevery mild. For most people with VWD, the disorder causes little orno disruption to their lives except when there is a serious injuryor need for surgery. However, with all forms of VWD, there can bebleeding problems.How do people get VWD?VWD is usually inherited. It is passed down through the genesfrom either parent to a child of either sex. Sometimes there is evidenceof a family history of bleeding problems. However, bleedingsymptoms can vary a lot within a family. Sometimes there is nofamily history and VWD occurs due to a spontaneous change inthe VWD gene before the baby is born.What is von Willebrand disease? 1
Page 1: What is von Willebranddisease?
Page 5 and 6: Inheritance of von Willebrand disea
Page 7 and 8: How is VWD treated?VWD can be treat
Page 9: Important points for people living

What Is von Willebrand Disease? - World Federation of Hemophilia

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