The Treatment of Patients Having Spontaneously Occurring Antibodies to Antihaemophilic Factor (Factor VIII)

SummaryThe appearance of antibodies to factor VIII in the blood of previously normal people is a very rare occurrence but when it does happen the haemorrhagic condition which results can be very serious and difficult to treat.From experience of three cases described here it is recommended that treatment be witheld unless there is serious haemorrhage in which case steroids, large doses of cryoprecipitate or other human AHG should be given. In the case of life endangering haemorrhages it is justified to use the much more potent animal AHG preparations along with an immuno-suppressive drug.