Venous blood clot
Venous blood clot

Congenital antithrombin III deficiency

Definition:

Antithrombin III is a protein in the blood that blocks the formation of blood clots. Congenital antithrombin III deficiency is a genetic disease that occurs when a patient has received one abnormal copy of a gene from a parent with the disease (an autosomal dominant trait). The abnormal gene leads to low levels of antithrombin III. These low levels of antithrombin III can cause abnormal blood clots (thrombus) that may damage organs.



Alternative Names:
Deficiency - antithrombin III - congenital; Antithrombin III deficiency - congenital


Review Date: 2/2/2002
Reviewed By: William Matsui, M.D., Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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