[Acquired autoantibodies against human factor VIII: a new case].

The finding of a prolonged partial thromboplastin time and a normal prothrombin time localized the coagulation defect to the intrinsic or contact activation limb of the coagulation cascade. Because the situation is a source of hemorrhage, a rational and rapid approach is necessary with measure of factors of intrinsic limb of coagulation (especially factors VIII and IX, for the diagnosis of classic hemophilia), study of von Willebrand factor and search of coagulation factor inhibitors. We report the case of a 25-year old woman with high titer postpartum antibody against factor VIII for illustrating the diagnosis approach.