Bleeding Disorders Association
of Northeastern New York (BDANENY), Inc.

What is von Willebrand Disease?

Although less widely known than hemophilia, von Willebrand disease (vWD) is actually the most common inherited bleeding disorder affecting 1 in 100 individiuals. It affects women and men in equal numbers. People with vWD take longer to stop bleeding due to defects or deficiencies in a clotting factor called von Willebrand factor (vWF). In most cases, the problem arises from low levels of vWF in the bloodstream. In other cases, there may be enough vWF, but it does not work properly.

An abnormal gene in vWD is located on a chromosome called an autosomal chromosome or autosome, rather than a sex-linked (X) chromosome. Therefore, both men and women may pass the vWD gene to their offspring. A parent with von Willebrand disease has a 50% chance of passing the disease onto each of his or her children, whether they are male or female. vWD can also be the result of a spontaneous, genetic mutation in the child. Individuals whose vWD is the result of such a mutation may also pass the disease on to their children.

Not everyone who has vWD shows symptoms. For those who do, typical signs include nosebleeds, easy bruising, heavy menstrual flow, and excessive or unusual bleeding from the mouth or gums. Sometimes bleeding is caused by injury. At other times there is no obvious cause. Gastrointestinal or urinary tract bleeding may also occur in persons with vWD. It is rare for persons with vWD to have joint or muscle bleeds.

In most cases, vWD is a mild disorder with few, if any, symptoms. This is why many people do not realize they may have this disease until another family member is diagnosed. Sometimes bleeding after a serious injury or surgery may suggest a clotting disorder is present. The type and severity of symptoms a person with vWD may have are related to the amount and quality of vWF in the blood. Persons with little or no vWF are likely to have more frequent and/or severe bleeding problems that require treatment than those with milder deficiencies of vWF.

If any family member has a bleeding disorder, a hematologist should be consulted prior to circumcising an infant.