What condition is characterized by afibrinogenemia?

Afibrinogenemia is a rare blood coagulation disorder characterized by the absence of fibrinogen, a crucial protein needed for blood clotting. This deficiency leads to excessive bleeding because fibrinogen is necessary for the formation of a stable blood clot. When a person does not have adequate levels of fibrinogen, even minor injuries can result in significant blood loss, as the body lacks the necessary components to form clots effectively.

In contrast, the other options describe different conditions that do not pertain specifically to the absence of fibrinogen. For instance, the inability to absorb nutrients relates to gastrointestinal disorders, while blood infections and autoimmune disorders affect the immune system or blood cells differently, often without the direct relation to fibrinogen levels or clotting mechanisms. Thus, the correct identification of excessive bleeding due to lack of fibrinogen aligns directly with the implications of afibrinogenemia.