Definition of Congenital afibrinogenemia:

Congenital afibrinogenemia is a rare, inherited blood disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. It occurs when there is a complete lack (deficiency) of a protein called fibrinogen, which is needed for the blood to clot.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

This rare disease is caused by an abnormal gene that must be passed down from both parents. It causes a severe lack of fibrinogen.

Milder forms can occur in people who inherit only one abnormal gene from their parents. (Dysfibrinogenemia, in which there is a defect in fibrinogen function, is a different condition.)

Congenital afibrinogenemia can occur in males or females. The main risk factor is a family history of bleeding disorders.