Use of recombinant factor VIIa (NovoSeven) in a haemophilia A patient with inhibitor in Kuwait

Development of inhibitors is a known complication in some haemophiliacs receiving coagulation factor replacement therapy. We report on the successful management of a young boy with haemophilia A with inhibitor using recombinant factor VIIa. We had failed to control bleeding in this patient following his circumcision, despite infusion with high doses of factor VIII concentrate for 2 weeks. Recombinant factor VIIa is a useful ‘factor VIII bypassing agent’ for the control of bleeding in patients with haemophilia A and B who develop inhibitors. We suggest that severely affected haemophiliacs should be absolved of ritual circumcision as a protective measure against what might become a life-threatening haemorrhage – especially in those with inhibitors.