Hemophilia
Overview
Illustrations
Definition
Hemophilia refers to a group of bleeding disorders in which it takes a long time for the blood to clot. This may cause abnormal bleeding. In most cases, the disorder is passed down through families (inherited) and most often affects males.
Related topics:
Symptoms
The main symptom of hemophilia is bleeding. Mild cases may go unnoticed until later in life, when they occur in response to surgery or trauma. Internal bleeding may occur anywhere. Bleeding into joints is common.
Signs and tests
Most often, hemophilia is diagnosed after a person has a bleeding episode or there is known family history of the condition.
Treatment
Standard treatment involves replacing the missing clotting factor.
Support Groups
Expectations (prognosis)
Most people with hemophilia are able to lead relatively normal lives. A small percentage of people with hemophilia may die from loss of blood.
References
Rakel P, ed. Conn’s Current Therapy 2006. 58th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2006; 510-517.
Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005:655-656.
Reviewed By: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
