Genetic Clotting Disorders in Children

A blood clot is when blood changes from a liquid to a solid. Blood clots are good because they help your body stop bleeding. But they can form when you don’t need them in veins or arteries. You can have a blood clot in your arteries or veins in places like your arms, legs, eyes, lungs, brain or other organs.

Some kids are born with a genetic condition, which is passed down from a child's parent(s), that makes them at greater risk for a blood clot.

Types of Genetic Clotting Disorders

There are many different types of genetic clotting disorders:

• Factor V (5) Leiden
• Prothrombin Mutation
• Protein C and Protein S Deficiency
• Antithrombin Deficiency
• Elevated Homocystein
• Elevated Lipoprotein (a)
• Elevated Factor VIII (8)
• Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APLA or APLAS)

Symptoms of Blood Clots

The symptoms of a blood clot can be different depending on its location. Symptoms can also depend on if the clot happens in a vein or artery.

Symptoms of a clot in your arm or leg include:

• Pain in your arm or leg
• Swelling in your arm or leg
• Arm or leg may be warm to the touch
• Not able to move your arm or leg as well
• Discoloration or purple color of the skin
• Weak or absent pulse

Symptoms of a clot in your lung include:

• Chest pain, squeezing or heaviness (some people describe it like an elephant sitting on their chest)
• Chest pain becomes sharper when taking a breath
• Shortness of breath or you can’t catch your breath (for no reason)
• Quick breathing
• Blueness of extremities Symptoms of a clot in your brain include:
• Unable to speak normally
• Hard time moving one side of your body
• Vision changes
• Changes in your personality
• Seizures
• Headache
• Part of your face doesn’t look like the other half

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Genetic clotting disorders are diagnosed using a blood test. To diagnose a blood clot, the following tests can be used:
• Ultrasound
• MRI
• Venogram
• CT scan

Blood clots are treated using an anticoagulant, a medicine that makes the blood thinner and stops the blood clot from getting bigger. This condition is usually treated for at least 3 months, but the length of treatment depends on where the blood clot is, how it is progressing during treatment and if there are any side effects from the clot.