about Hemophilia

Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder characterized by the lack of clotting factor in the blood. Hemophilia A is related to factor VIII deficiency while Hemophilia B is classified by a factor IX deficiency, and Hemophilia C by a factor XI deficiency. Each type is then classified from severity: mild, moderate, or severe. Without the proper levels of clotting factor in the blood, the body does not stop bleeding well or in some cases at all. Bleeds can occur internally or externally, and can lead to skin and/or muscle damage. It is most prevalent in males, although females can be symptomatic carriers and in rare cases, can actually inherit the disease. Hemophilia A is thought to affect 1 in every 5,000 males, while Hemophilia B is thought to affect 1 in every 25,000, and Hemophilia C affects approximately 1 in 100,000 births worldwide.