About Factor VII Deficiency

What Is Factor VII Deficiency?

Factor VII (FVII) deficiency is an inherited bleeding disorder in which there are low levels of FVII present in the blood. FVII plays an important role in the blood-clotting process, so when there isn't enough of it in the blood, clotting can take much longer than normal or may not occur at all. This results in excessive bleeding, which can be dangerous and difficult to control.

FVII deficiency is considered rare, affecting an estimated 1 in 500,000 people. Both men and women can be affected. Frequency and severity of bleeding episodes vary from person to person.

  • Some people with very mild FVII deficiency may not even know they have the condition
  • Mild to moderate FVII deficiency is characterized by increased bleeding after surgery and trauma
  • Severe FVII deficiency is marked by spontaneous, severe, and even life-threatening bleeding

What Causes FVII Deficiency?

FVII deficiency is caused by an abnormal gene that is inherited by a child from his or her parents. It is an autosomal recessive disorder, which means that both parents must carry the abnormal gene in order for that child to inherit the deficiency.

Who Gets FVII Deficiency?

Because the affected FVII gene is not linked to gender, as it is with hemophilia A and B, males and females have an equal chance of being born with FVII deficiency. Everyone inherits two FVII genes, so people can have the deficiency in varying degrees. For example, if only one of a person's FVII genes is defective, they may either have a very mild form of the deficiency or simply be a carrier without symptoms.