RECURRENT HEMATOMAS COEXISTING WITH AN UN REMARKABLE STANDARD HEMOSTASIS SCREENING-TESTS

The authors report the case of a 22-month-old boy experiencing a volum inous subcutaneous haematoma, 72 hours after a head trauma, Two Subseq uent drainages of this haematoma were required because of its recurren ce. The child, whose parents had blood relations, suffered from recurr ent bleeding since his birth. A standard haemostasis assessment includ ing prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, bleeding time, concentration of fibrinogen and platelet count was unremarkable. Therefore, coagulation factors were explored. An inherited factor XII I deficiency (less than 2%) was recognized. A new drain was inserted, after administration of factor XIII concentrate. The time course of th e haematoma was favourable. After discharge, the prophylactic therapy consisted of an injection of factor XIII concentrate (50 Ul.kg(-1)) ev ery 5 weeks. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.