Understanding Factor X Deficiency
Factor X (FX) deficiency, or Stuart-Prower factor deficiency, is a rare hereditary bleeding disorder. FX deficiency occurs in about 1 in 500,000 to 1 in a million people and occurs equally in males and females.
Symptoms of Factor X Deficiency
Symptoms of mild FX deficiency include nose and mouth bleeds, easy bruising, and bleeding after surgery or trauma. Women who have a FX deficiency can also experience heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, miscarriage , and excessive bleeding after childbirth. Symptoms for patients with severe FX deficiency include excessive umbilical cord bleeding, joint bleeds, intramuscular bleeds, and a high risk of intracranial hemorrhage in the first weeks of life.
Diagnosing Factor X Deficiency
Diagnosis is made through family history and blood tests, including FX assay and tests that measure clotting time.
Treating Factor X Deficiency
Factor replacement therapy, sometimes referred to as clotting factor or simply factor, may be ordered for routine use to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes, on-demand treatment and control when bleeding occurs, and for the surgery-related management of bleeding in those with mild and moderate hereditary FX deficiency. Prior to this product becoming available, fresh-frozen plasma or plasma-derived prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) were the only options for the treatment of bleeds. Treatment with PCCs should be used cautiously because at higher volumes they can produce blood clots.
Medications that prevent the breakdown of clots, such as aminocaproic acid or tranexamic acid, or topical nosebleed powders or fibrin glue, may be used for mild bleeding symptoms.
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Last reviewed 08/18/2026
