Definition:

Factor XIII deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by defective cross-linking of fibrin and poor resistance to fibrinolysis. The severity of the bleeding tendency varies from benign symptoms like excessive bruising to life threatening bleeding emergencies such as intracranial hemorrhages. In plasma, FXIII circulates as a pro-transglutaminase composed of two catalytic A subunits and two non-catalytic B subunits. Symptoms that are almost pathognomonic for A subunit deficiency are umbilical bleeding in the neonatal period and repeated fetal wastage in pregnant females.