Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly and leads to excessive bleeding. It is caused by lack or low levels of certain proteins called “clotting factors.” People suffering from hemophilia bleed easily and it takes a long time for the blood to clot. They can experience internal or spontaneous bleeding and often suffer from swollen and painful joints because of bleeding into joints. This is a rare but serious condition that may lead to life-threatening complications. As per the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), approximately one in 10,000 people are born with this health condition.

What are the types of hemophilia?

• Hemophilia A  – The most common type of hemophilia, hemophilia A is caused because of a deficiency of factor VIII. As per the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), eight out of ten people suffering from hemophilia have hemophilia A.
• Hemophilia B  – Hemophilia B is caused because of a deficiency of factor IX. It is also called as Christmas disease.
• Hemophilia C  – Hemophilia C, a mild form of this disorder, is caused because of a deficiency of factor XI. Individuals with the rare form of hemophilia do not experience spontaneous bleeding.

What are the symptoms of hemophilia?
The intensity of the symptoms of hemophilia depends upon the severity of the factor deficiency. Individuals with a mild deficiency may bleed in case of a trauma. Whereas, individuals with a severe deficiency may bleed without any reason. This is known as “spontaneous bleeding”. In children suffering from hemophilia, these symptoms may develop around the age of two years. Spontaneous bleeding can lead to the following:

• Blood in the urine
• Blood in the stool
• Pain in the joints
• Tight joints
• Bleeding gums
• Deep bruises
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Excessive bleeding

What causes hemophilia?

• Normally hemophilia is an inherited disorder that means a person is born with it.
• It occurs because of a defect in one of the clotting factor genes on the X chromosome. Hemophilia mostly occurs in males because the gene can be easily passed from a mother to her son.
• Hemophilia can also be caused if the body develops antibodies to clotting factors in the blood, as a result, stop the clotting factors from working.
• Hemophilia is sometimes acquired because of a spontaneous genetic mutation.

What are the complications associated with hemophilia?
The complications of hemophilia include:

• Repetitive bleeding can cause joint damage
• Deep internal bleeding
• Bleeding within the brain can cause neurological symptoms
• When you receive donor blood it increases the risks for diseases like hepatitis

How is hemophilia treated?

• A prescribed hormone can treat hemophilia A. Desmopressin is a hormone that can directly be injected into the vein. This treatment stimulates the factors that are accountable for the process of blood clotting.
• In the treatment of hemophilia B, the blood can be infused with donor clotting factors. These factors sometimes may be given in the synthetic form. These factors are called “recombinant factors”.
• Plasma infusion can be used to treat hemophilia C. This infusion works by stopping profuse bleeding.

How can hemophilia be prevented?

• Hemophilia is a health condition that is passed from a mother to her child.
• In pregnancy, there is no way of knowing if the baby has hemophilia.
• However, if the eggs are fertilized in a clinic with the use of vitro fertilization, they can be tested for hemophilia. Then, only the eggs without the health condition can be implanted.
• Preconception and prenatal counseling can also help in understanding the risks associated with giving birth to a baby with hemophilia.