Bleeding disorders can be inherited (genetic) or can occur later in life (acquired). Inherited (genetic) bleeding disorders are passed from parents to children through a gene. Inherited bleeding disorders can occur when a chromosome containing an altered or defective clotting factor is passed from parent to child. When people think of an inherited bleeding disorder, they usually think of
hemophilia, which is usually caused by a missing or altered gene for factor VIII or factor IX. Hemophilia is passed on from parent to child through one of the sex-link chromosomes. Other bleeding disorders, including
von Willebrand's disease are passed from parent to child by way of the non-sex-linked chromosomes (known as autosomes).