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Hemophilia Facts

Hemophilia Facts
Hemophilia is a rare disorder that makes it difficult for blood to clot, which can result in spontaneous bleeding and excessive bleeding from injuries and surgery. Hemophilia is a genetic mutation, and refers to a group of bleeding disorders including the most common types hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Hemophilia A and B are more common in males, but it is still possible for a female to inherit the blood disorder. There is no cure for hemophilia but treatment is possible by replacing the missing blood clotting factors. When left untreated it can cause permanent damage inside the body and can result in dangerous bleeding following injury or surgery.
Interesting Hemophilia Facts:
Hemophilia was first described by Abulcasis, a physician and surgeon in the 10th century.
An individual with bleeding into their joints should be tested for hemophilia as this is a common sign.
Common external signs of hemophilia include bleeding in the gums and mouth, bleeding into the skin causing bruising, bleeding following vaccinations or needles, hard to stop nosebleeds that occur frequently, and blood in the urine or stool.
Hemophilia A is more common than hemophilia B. It occurs roughly four times more often.
Hemophilia can affect someone from any race or ethnicity.
On average, 1 out of every 500 live male babies will be born with hemophilia A.
On average, 1 out of every 20,000 to 30,000 live male babies will be born with hemophilia B.
Hemophilia was given the nickname the 'Royal Disease' because Queen Victoria, who reigned as the Queen of England from 1837 until 1901 carried the rare blood disorder gene. Her son Leopold and daughters Beatrice and Alice spread the gene to other royal families in Russia, Spain, and Germany.
Hemophilia can be mild, moderate, or severe. The severity depends on the particular mutation, and the clotting factor.
In severe cases of hemophilia it is often diagnosed following circumcision, which will usually result in severe bleeding. In other cases, severe hemophilia usually presents within the child's first two years of life.
Bleeding that occurs into the joints is called hemarthrosis.
Bleeding from the urinary tract is called hematuria.
Bleeding into the skull or the brain is called intracranial hemorrhage.
Individuals with hemophilia who receive proper treatment are able to live almost as long as those without it. Males without hemophilia live about 10 years longer than those with hemophilia.
Roughly 80% of hemophilia cases are hemophilia type A.
Roughly 20% of hemophilia cases are hemophilia type B.
Treatment of hemophilia includes regular injections of a clotting factor.
In 2013 it was reported by London's Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust that 6 hemophilia patients were successfully treated with gene therapy.
Individuals with hemophilia can be proactive against the disorder by doing specific exercises designed to help strengthen their joints. This can help prevent bleeding.
Prior to blood screening laws, hemophilia patients were at an increased risk of contracting HIV. In the U.S.it is estimated that 10,000 people contracted HIV from untested, tainted blood. This accounted for roughly half the population of hemophilia patients at the time.


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