The Prevalence of Coagulation Factor Deficiency Among Pediatric Populations in Medina City, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND

Coagulation factor deficiencies, a subset of inherited bleeding disorders, are characterized by impaired clotting due to insufficient or dysfunctional coagulation factors. This study aims to explore the prevalence of coagulation factor deficiencies in pediatric patients at the Maternity and Children Hospital in Medina, Saudi Arabia, between 2019 and 2023, and to assess their impact on platelet counts and coagulation profile parameters.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted involving 221 pediatric patients diagnosed with coagulation factor deficiencies. Clinical and laboratory data, including platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and coagulation factor levels, were extracted from patient clinical metadata. A control group of 50 healthy children were included for comparison.

RESULTS

Retrospective analysis revealed that the most common deficiencies were factor VIII (hemophilia A, 15.38%) and factor IX (hemophilia B, 14.47%), among both males and females (50.22% males and 49.78% females). Prothrombin time, INR, and APTT were significantly prolonged across all coagulation deficiencies (p < 0.0001). The findings also highlighted the importance of monitoring platelet and coagulation parameters in children with unexplained bleeding symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of coagulation factor deficiencies in Medina, Saudi Arabia, underscores the need for early diagnosis, genetic counseling, and specialized care. This study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to managing bleeding disorders, including close monitoring of coagulation profiles and platelet counts.