Hemophilia — Overview, Symptoms, Treatments, and Other Resources.
Information on Hemophilia at the National Heart Lung & Blood Institute
Hemophilia is rare, inherited disorder in which the blood fails to clot normally. Approximately 18,000 Americans, mostly males, have hemophilia. 400 babies are born with the condition each year. Symptoms include bleeding excessively and bruising easily. Bleeding may be internal or external and can be life-threatening...More at the National Institutes of Health
Hemophilia Information at the Mayo Clinic
Information on Hemophilia at MayoClinic.com.
Information on Hemophilia at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Hemophilia is a hereditary condition that results in blood that does not clot normally, resulting in serious risk of excessive bleeding (hemorrhaging), particularly internal hemorrhaging in joints, muscles and vital organs, especially the brain…More at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Video: The benefits of comprehensive care in the treatment of hemophilia
Comprehensive care of the hemophilic patient is extremely effective, yet not attained in many cases. Patients gain optimum benefits when treated by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists that address physical, emotional, psychological, and social needs. Both patients and health care workers agree that comprehensive care can greatly improve the overall quality of life. View the video podcast presented by the World Federation of Hemophilia.
Video: What is hemophilia and how is it treated?
Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of hemophilia. View the video from Livestrong.
Participation of hemophiliacs in sports
Hemophiliacs wishing to participate in sports activities should first consult their physician. The severity of bleeding episodes, response of the patient to treatment, and risk of injury should all be taken into account. Both participants and coaches should be informed about the relative risks posed to the athlete and be trained in the appropriate response following potential injuries. View the National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Management of the hemophiliac requiring minor or major surgery
Hemophilia requires additional post-operative care to ensure that the risk of bleeding is minimized. Serum concentrations of blood clotting inhibitors should be monitored before and after surgery. During and following the surgical procedure, plasma levels of the deficient blood clotting factors can be corrected by infusing it directly into the bloodstream. View the National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Vaccination of hemophiliac patients
Injections pose a bleeding risk to the hemophiliac. The patient should discuss the necessity of vaccination and risk of bleeding with their physician. For certain vaccinations, the injection can be made under the surface of the skin rather than into the muscle to minimize the risk of bleeding. Also, vaccinations may be scheduled immediately following anticoagulant therapy to reduce the risk of adverse bleeding. View the National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Management of excessive bleeding
In the event that a hemophiliac experiences excessive bleeding, physicians will treat the patient to stop the bleeding, restore blood volume, and restore missing blood clotting factors. View the National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Abstract: Cell replacement therapy reverses hemophilia in mice
A major goal of hemophilia research is to boost the ability of the body to produce blood clotting factors on its own. In this study, liver cells from a healthy mouse were placed into a mouse with hemophilia-like disease. The transplanted liver cells were able to produce plasma factor VIII, thereby reversing the bleeding disorder. Similar studies have not yet been performed in humans. View the abstract at Pubmed.
Abstract: Hemophilia can be acquired late in life.
Although most hemophiliacs are born with the disorder, some patients do not develop it until well into their adults lives. Acquired hemophilia type A occurs when the body's immune system attacks components of the blood clotting machinery. Symptoms are similar in patients whom acquire hemophilia as those who are born with it: easy bruising, excessive bleeding, and joint swelling. Treatment includes not only replacement of the missing clotting factor, but, also, turning off the faulty immune response. View the abstract in Pubmed.
Abstract: Treatment of children with hemophilia
Due to their young age, pediatric hemophiliacs with blood clotting inhibitors are at high risk for multiple bleeding episodes in their joints over the remainder of their life. This repeated injury can lead to significant suffering. Young patients with blood clotting inhibitors should be aggressively treated with preventative therapies to reduce the risk of permanent joint damage. View the abstract at Pubmed.
Abstract: Preventative therapy preserves joint function in hemophiliac patients
Spontaneous bleeding in the joints of hemophiliacs can lead to debilitating joint damage. Patients taking preventative therapeutics were less likely to experience severe joint disablement than patients receiving treatment only when a bleeding episode occurred. View the abstract in Pubmed.
Abstract: Type A hemophiliacs are more likely to require joint surgery than Type B hemophiliacs.
Type A and B hemophilias are caused by a deficiency in clotting factors VIII and IX, respectively. Patients with Type A hemophilia are much more likely to require joint surgery than those with Type B hemophilia. View the abstract in Pubmed.
Abstract: Gene therapy for hemophilia
Hemophilia A is caused by a defect in a single gene, making it an ideal disease for gene therapy treatment. These approaches either introduce genetically manipulated cells to the patient or to return a normal copy of a deficient gene to the patient's own cells. Clinical trials have been unsuccessful to date, but improving technology may allow hemophilia gene therapy to become reality in the future. View the abstract in Pubmed.
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Source: National Hemophilia Foundation
Blood Clotting Factors Treat Hemophilia
Source: Wikimedia
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Inheritance Pattern for Hemophilia
Source: NIH
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