A child presented with excessive bruising and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time. Mixing studies in plasma were positive for phospholipid dependence of the anticoagulant, confirming a diagnosis of lupus anticoagulant. Factor II level was reduced. Laboratory findings normalised after three months, with spontaneous resolution of bruising. This case demonstrates a transient antiphosph...

Deficiencies of factor VIII (in haemophilia) and factor IX (in Christmas disease) prolong the partial thromboplastin time. If normal plasma is treated with alumina, the factor VIII remains but the factor IX is removed and can subsequently be recovered by elution of the alumina. If a long partial thromboplastin time is found on investigating a male patient whose history suggests a life-long blee...