Hypoprothrombinemia and severe hemorrhage associated with a lupus anticoagulant.

We recently encountered a previously healthy 3-year-old girl who had severe bleeding resulting from a severe deficiency of prothrombin. A lupus anticoagulant was identified by several different methods. The patient was successfully treated with glucocorticoids. This rare complication of a lupus anticoagulant should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a previously well child who suddenly has hemorrhage.