What is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder?

Von Willebrand disease is recognized as the most common hereditary bleeding disorder. This condition is caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor, a protein that plays a critical role in platelet adhesion and aggregation during the clotting process. Individuals with von Willebrand disease often experience symptoms such as easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, and prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery, which highlights its impact on hemostasis.

Hemophilia A, while a well-known bleeding disorder, is less common than von Willebrand disease and affects a specific protein involved in blood clotting (factor VIII). Circulating anticoagulant syndrome involves the presence of anticoagulants that can inhibit clotting but is not hereditary in nature. Factor V Leiden is a genetic mutation that can increase the risk of thrombosis rather than causing bleeding. Therefore, the prevalence and the mechanism of von Willebrand disease affirm its status as the most common genetic bleeding disorder.