# Factor XIII Deficiency in a Moroccan Infant: A Case Report of a Rare Bleeding Disorder

## TL;DR

A rare bleeding disorder called Factor XIII deficiency is reported in a Moroccan infant, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis due to its life-threatening risks.

## Contribution

This case report adds to the limited literature on FXIII deficiency in infants, emphasizing diagnostic challenges in resource-limited settings.

## Key findings

- The infant was diagnosed with congenital Factor XIII deficiency following postcircumcision bleeding.
- FXIII deficiency is challenging to diagnose due to normal results in standard coagulation tests.
- Early diagnosis is critical to prevent severe complications like intracranial bleeding.

## Abstract

Factor XIII deficiency (FXIIID) is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary bleeding disorder caused by heterogeneous mutations, leading to potentially life-threatening hemorrhages and early fetal loss. FXIII plays a vital role not only in cross-linking fibrinogen to stabilize clot formation but also in wound healing, angiogenesis, and fetal viability. Diagnosing FXIIID is particularly challenging, as standard coagulation assays typically yield normal results, necessitating specific FXIII testing an additional barrier in resource-limited settings such as developing countries. Early diagnosis is crucial, especially due to the high risk of intracranial bleeding. We report the case of an infant who was admitted for postcirumcision bleeding and was ultimately diagnosed with congenital FXIII deficiency.