von Willebrand disease

noun

von Wil·​le·​brand disease vän-ˈvi-lə-ˌbränt- 

variants or less commonly von Willebrand's disease

vän-ˈvi-lə-ˌbränts- 

: a genetic blood disorder marked by prolonged, excessive, or abnormal bleeding that commonly results in recurrent nosebleeds, heavy menstrual flow, and bleeding from the gums, is caused by deficient or defective von Willebrand factor, and typically occurs in a mild form that is less serious than hemophilia

Note: Von Willebrand disease is inherited chiefly as an autosomal dominant trait in which only one parent must pass on a copy of the defective gene on a chromosome other than a sex chromosome.

Examples of von Willebrand disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, nosebleeds can be a symptom of blood-clotting disorders such as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome or bleeding disorders such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 6 May 2024

Zinc is an important nutrient, but get it from food, not supplements, experts say Bruising can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions or bleeding disorders such as cirrhosis, von Willebrand disease, Cushing's syndrome, or hemophilia. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

after Erik Adolf von Willebrand †1949 Finnish physician

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

von Willebrand disease

noun

von Wil·​le·​brand disease

-ˌbränt-

variants also von Willebrand's disease

: a genetic blood disorder marked by prolonged, excessive, or abnormal bleeding that commonly results in recurrent nosebleeds, heavy menstrual flow, and bleeding from the gums, is caused by deficient or defective von Willebrand factor, and typically occurs in a mild form that is less serious than hemophilia

Note: Von Willebrand disease is inherited chiefly as an autosomal dominant trait in which only one parent must pass on a copy of the defective gene on a chromosome other than a sex chromosome.