| Hemophilia is a condition that involves problems with coagulation or clotting of blood, leading to easy bruising and bleeding. Parents are often worried that their children having a clotting disorder when they notice that they bruise easily. However, if the bruising is in areas where your child commonly falls or hits himself, such as the front of the lower legs, then it is probably normal. Children with clotting disorders bruise easily after minor trauma and in areas that you don't commonly see bruises or they may bleed for hours or days after a minor cut or surgical procedure.
Hemophilia A is the most common type. It is also called Classic Hemophilia. It is caused by a defective gene on the X chromosome, which leads to decreased production of factor VIII, which is required to form blood clots, and this leads to easily bruising and bleeding. Since the gene for this blood disorder is on the X chromosome, it is usually inherited from a mother who is a carrier (meaning she has one normal and one abnormal gene). Male infants of a mother who is a carrier have a 50% chance of having hemophilia A. Children can have a mild, moderate or severe cases of hemophilia A, depending on the activity level of factor VIII, and this can be measured.
Symptoms of hemophilia A sometimes begin in the newborn period, and can include excessive bleeding after a circumcision or the develop of very large bruises after routine immunizations. Often, though, bleeding and bruising do not begin until children are older and they begin walking (and falling). Diagnosis is by a blood test that measures the activity level of factor VIII. Treatment is by preventing trauma as much as possible and replacing factor VIII when bleeding is severe.
Hemophilia B or Christmas Disease is another, less common type of bleeding disorder. It is caused by a deficiency of factor IX, which is also required to form blood clots. Symptoms are similar to Classic hemophiliacs, and treatment is by replacement of Factor IX.
Von Willebrand Disease is another type of clotting disorder that can occur in males and females. Symptoms usually include frequent nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and prolonged bleeding from minor cuts or after surgery. Testing for von Willebrand disease includes a prolonged bleeding time, and abnormal levels of von Willebrand protein, von Willebrand factor activity and factor VIII activity. Treatment includes replacement of von Willebrand factor for severe bleeding. Minor bleeding is usually treated with DDAVP.
Resource List for Hemophiliacs:
- Kelly Communications: free books, newsletters, mailing lists and links to other resources from a parent of a hemophiliac.
- National Hemophilia Foundation: dedication to the cures of inherited bleeding disorders and prevention and treatment of their complications.
- Canadian Hemophilia Society: educational information about Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, including diagnosis, symptoms, precautions, and treatment options.
- World Federation of Hemophilia: an invaluable resource for the online global bleeding disorder community. Filled with articles, stories, ask the expert section and more.
- alt.support.hemophilia: Usenet newsgroup for the discussion of bleeding disorders. Lots of spam here though.
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