Understanding Factor XIII Deficiency
Inherited factor XIII deficiency is the rarest factor deficiency, occurring in 1 out of 5 million births. It is inherited from both parents and affects men and women equally.
Symptoms of Factor XIII Deficiency
Symptoms of factor XIII deficiency include bruise easily, recurrent bleeds including nose and mouth, muscle bleeds, and delayed bleeding after surgery. Umbilical cord bleeding is common in factor XIII deficiency, found in almost 80% of cases. Up to 30% of patients sustain a spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, a brain bleed. This is the leading cause of mortality for those with factor XIII deficiency. Females with factor XIII deficiency can experience long, heavy menstrual cycles and repeated miscarriages. Men may show signs of infertility.
Diagnosing Factor XIII Deficiency
Diagnosing factor XIII deficiency is made using factor XIII assays and a clot solubility test.
Treating Factor XIII Deficiency
Factor XIII concentrate is available for treatment of factor XIII deficiency. Cryoprecipitate is used to treat life- and limb threatening bleeds when factor XIII concentrate is not available.
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Last reviewed 08/18/2026
