Factor XI deficiency in an Ashkenazi Jewish child, causing severe postoperative hemorrhage.

Although inherited coagulation factor deficiencies with negative bleeding histories are rare, cases such as the one presented herein may not be diagnosed at the time of surgery and may experience severe hemostatic problems postoperatively. It may be prudent to obtain an activated partial thromboplastin time preoperatively for all Ashkenazi Jews, including those with a negative history for a hemostatic disorder, because of the high incidence of factor XI deficiency in their population. Surgeons and anesthesiologists should be aware of the existence of this and other uncommon hemostatic disorders and their treatment when faced with serious, apparently unexplained postoperative hemorrhage.