Do all bleeds need to be treated with clotting factor?
All bleeding into joints, and significant bleeding into soft tissue, especially muscles, should be treated with clotting factor. A significant soft tissue bleed is one that is large enough to cause pain and limit movement and function in nearby joints. Deep muscle bleeds can cause damage to nerves and blood vessels, and bleeds in the neck, throat or chest can damage the airway and other important organs. These injuries must be treated with factor concentrates. Cuts to the lips or gums, as well as injuries to the head, should also be treated with clotting factor. Skin bruises (hematoma) often look alarming but may only require ice treatment to reduce the swelling. Always consult with the baby’s parents (and they can ask their HTC), if you are unsure of the severity of the bruise and whether you should use clotting factor. If the parents self-infuse their baby with clotting factor, they will be able to treat most joint and muscle bleeds, as well as mouth and nose bleeds, at home. For mor
