About von Willebrand Disease

Von Willebrand (vWD) is the most common bleeding disorder. This condition is named for the doctor, Erik von Willebrand, who first identified it in 1926. Von Willebrand disease affects about 1 out of every 100 persons. Von Willebrand disease is caused by deficient or defective Von Willebrand factor (vWF). This is a protein that is normally found in the cells that line the blood vessels. This protein has two functions: binding to factor VIII to protect it from being destroyed in the blood and binding to platelets to promote clotting. Von Willebrand disease can be passed to a child from either parent.

Symptoms

Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) should be suspected in anyone who has the following symptoms:

• Easy bruising
• Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Frequent or prolonged nosebleeds
• Prolonged bleeding after injury, surgery, childbirth, or invasive dental procedures

Treatment

A network of specialty treatment centers that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of bleeding disorders, such as Hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease, exists.