Combined factor IX and protein C deficiency in a child: thrombogenic effects of two factor IX concentrates

We have recently described an unusual situation which involved a combination of a factor IX and a protein C deficiency in a young child who presented, according to the bleeding tendency, as a hemophilia B patient. In this particular hemophiliac, baseline prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 levels were unexpectedly elevated and increased after an injection of a very high purity factor IX concentrate. This observation raised a question regarding the substitution schedule in the case of repeated injections of factor IX, since the thrombotic tendency has been a major concern with some factor IX concentrates. We monitored factor IX, prothrombin fragment F1 + 2, and D-dimer plasma levels before and during the 6 hr following the injection of an immunopurified factor IX concentrate. The results showed an increase in the F1 + 2 levels after the factor IX injection, but an increase lower than previously observed with an ion-exchange chromatography-purified concentrate. Furthermore, the F1 + 2 level returned to baseline value 6 hr after administration. This factor IX concentrate seems to be best for use in the patient where repeated injections are involved (as employed during surgery). Moreover, the data point out the advantage of a monoclonal antibody-purified factor IX concentrate over less purified concentrates in a specific situation, with regard to the thrombogenic risk.