{"id":2348,"date":"2025-11-18T10:01:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T06:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/what-are-hemophilia-a-and-b\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T18:12:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T14:42:31","slug":"what-are-hemophilia-a-and-b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/what-are-hemophilia-a-and-b\/","title":{"rendered":"What are hemophilia A and B?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which one of the “proteins needed for blood clotting,” called clotting factors, is missing or does not work properly. The result is that the blood has difficulty clotting and the person experiences prolonged or spontaneous bleeding. <\/p>\n\n

The two most common types of hemophilia are:\u2022 Hemophilia I (A): due to a deficiency or defect of factor eight (8)\u2022 Hemophilia (B): due to a deficiency or defect of factor nine (9); sometimes called “Christmas disease” <\/p>\n\n

Both types are seen in all races and ethnicities and occur more often in men, but women who carry the disease gene can also have bleeding symptoms.<\/p>\n\n

Hemophilia A<\/h2>\n\n

In hemophilia A, the amount of factor VIII in the blood is lower than normal, or the factor that is made does not work properly. This factor is one of the main proteins in the clotting pathway. \u2022 Hemophilia A is the most common type of hemophilia.\u2022 Most cases are passed from parents to children, but in about one-third of patients, the disease occurs due to a new gene mutation and there is no known family history.<\/p>\n\n

Hemophilia B<\/h2>\n\n

In hemophilia B, factor IX is low or does not function properly. Like factor VIII, it is essential for blood clotting. \u2022 Hemophilia B is less common than hemophilia A.\u2022 Like hemophilia A, the disease is usually hereditary, but in some patients it occurs due to a new mutation in the gene.<\/p>\n\n

Inheritance of hemophilia A and B<\/h2>\n\n

Both types of hemophilia A and B are X-linked and inherited as recessive:\u2022 Women have two X chromosomes (XX) and men have one X and one Y (XY).\u2022 The hemophilia gene is located on the X chromosome.<\/p>\n\n

If the mother is a carrier of the hemophilia gene<\/p>\n\n

There are four possibilities in every pregnancy:<\/p>\n\n

    \n
  1. Healthy girl (non-pregnant)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Girl carrying the hemophilia gene<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Boy without hemophilia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Boy with hemophilia<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    A father with hemophilia passes the defective gene to all of his daughters (the daughters become carriers) but not to his sons, because the son receives a Y chromosome from the father, not an X.<\/p>\n\n

    A significant proportion of pregnant women have factor VIII or lower levels and may experience abnormal bleeding, such as heavy menstruation, easy bruising, or bleeding after dental procedures and surgery.<\/p>\n\n

    Hemophilia severity<\/h2>\n\n

    The severity of hemophilia A and B is defined by the level of factor in the blood:\u2022 Severe hemophilia\u2022 Factor level less than 1 percent\u2022 Spontaneous bleeding, especially into joints and muscles, even without obvious trauma\u2022 Moderate hemophilia\u2022 Factor level about 1 to 5 percent\u2022 Bleeding after minor trauma or surgery, sometimes spontaneous bleeding\u2022 Mild hemophilia\u2022 Factor level about 6 to 40 percent\u2022 Bleeding is usually seen only after surgery, tooth extraction, or serious trauma\u2022 May not be diagnosed until adulthood<\/p>\n\n

    Symptoms of hemophilia A and B<\/h2>\n\n

    People with hemophilia take longer to stop bleeding than healthy people. Bleeding can occur:\u2022 Internally: inside joints (especially knees, ankles, and elbows), muscles, and internal organs\u2022 Externally: after scrapes, cuts, tooth extractions, or medical procedures. <\/p>\n\n

    Common symptoms:\u2022 Prolonged bleeding after injections, surgery, or tooth extraction\u2022 Large, frequent bruises\u2022 Joint bleeding (pain, swelling, warmth, and limited joint movement)\u2022 Muscle bleeding, with pain, swelling, and limited movement\u2022 In newborns, prolonged bleeding after circumcision or intramuscular injections\u2022 In pregnant women: very heavy and prolonged menstruation, bleeding after childbirth or surgery <\/p>\n\n

    Diagnosis of hemophilia<\/h2>\n\n

    Several types of tests are used to diagnose hemophilia:<\/p>\n\n

      \n
    1. Basic coagulation tests such as prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (APTT)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Factor specific test to measure factor VIII and IX levels and determine the type and severity of hemophilia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. If needed, genetic testing to identify the type of mutation and to screen family members, especially women of childbearing age.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

      In families with a history of hemophilia, it is recommended that:\u2022 Infant boys be screened for factor levels in the first months of life.\u2022 Female family members (sisters, cousins, etc.) be screened for factor levels at an appropriate age and, if possible, genetically, especially before marriage and pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n

      Hemophilia treatment<\/h2>\n\n

      The basis of treatment for both types of hemophilia is the injection of replacement clotting factor:\u2022 In hemophilia A: injection of factor VIII concentrate and, in some patients, the use of new drugs that enhance the coagulation process through other mechanisms. \u2022 In hemophilia B: Injection of factor IX concentrate (plasma-derived or manufactured using modern laboratory methods) and new products with longer shelf life in the blood. <\/p>\n\n

      General treatment methods<\/h2>\n\n
        \n
      • Treatment during bleeding: factor injection at the time of bleeding\u2022 Preventive treatment: regular factor injection to prevent bleeding, especially in children and patients with severe hemophilia, to prevent joint destruction\u2022 Use of auxiliary drugs such as anti-clotting drugs, simple methods of caring for the bleeding limb (rest, ice, keeping the limb elevated, etc.) according to the doctor’s opinion <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

        The choice of product type and injection schedule is based on the patient’s age, severity of the disease, lifestyle, presence or absence of inhibitors, and the facilities of each country.<\/p>\n\n

        Living with hemophilia<\/h2>\n\n

        With proper diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and regular follow-up, children and adults with hemophilia A and B can live active and productive lives. Key points:\u2022 Regular follow-up at a comprehensive hemophilia treatment center and ongoing communication with a hematologist\u2022 Family education for early detection of bleeding and timely factor infusion\u2022 Attention to joint health, appropriate physiotherapy, and controlled physical activity\u2022 Oral and dental health care and coordination with a dentist familiar with hemophilia\u2022 Genetic counseling for families, especially pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant\u2022 Psychological and social support for the patient and family <\/p>\n\n

        If you or a family member has prolonged bleeding, frequent bruising, or a family history of hemophilia, be sure to seek medical attention and counseling. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which one of the “proteins needed for blood clotting,” called clotting factors, is missing or does not work properly. The result is that the blood has difficulty clotting and the person experiences prolonged or spontaneous bleeding. The two most common types of hemophilia are:\u2022 Hemophilia I (A): due […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diseases"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2348"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2348\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2349,"href":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2348\/revisions\/2349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichcc.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}