Postpartum Acquired Hemophilia (Factor VIII Inhibitors): A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Pathologic inhibitors of blood coagulation as a cause of postpartum acquired hemostatic failure are rare. Since 1937, 96 cases of postpartum factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors, including the current case, have been reported. Suspicion for the diagnosis of this condition is often low. We report a case of postpartum FVIII inhibitor formation in a 24-year-old woman who developed intermittent postpartum bleeding that resulted from the inhibitors she formed to FVIII. A unique form of therapy was used in treatment of her disorder. She did not respond to conventional surgical or medical management of her bleeding until Autoplex T (Baxter Healthcare, Glendale, CA), an activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) was used. The literature concerning acquired hemophilia is reviewed, and new therapeutic medical advances are emphasized. Target Audience Obstetricians & Gynecologists and Family Physicians Learning Objectives After completion of this article, the reader will be able to outline the typical presentation of postpartum acquired hemophilia and to list the diagnostic tests that should be performed as well as the potential treatment of this condition.