Hemophilia
Emily Hayward
History
Hemophilia was first recognized in ancient times by the Jews, with the first treatments beginning in the early 1900s. At this time, treatment was not advanced. The only known treatment was to transfuse flesh blood after a significant amount was lost. Life expectancy for people with this disease was 13 years or younger.
Background
Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder that slows the blood clotting process. It is a single gene mutation, which means that only one gene is effected by the disease. It is commonly found in males. At this time, the life expectancy of someone who has Hemophilia varies depending on whether they receive proper treatment. Without proper treatment, many people die before adulthood. With treatment, the individual is expected to live about 10 years less than the average man.
Symptoms
- Excessive bleeding from cuts or injuries
- Many large or deep bruises
- Pain, swelling, or tightness in joints
Side Effects
- unexplained nose bleeds
- irritability without a known cause
- painful, prolonged headaches
Harm
- extreme tiredness
- repeated vomiting
- permanent joint damage
How is Hemophilia inherited?
Hemophilia is a sex-linked recessive trait. This means that your family history plays a very important part in the disease's appearance. The X chromosome is the defective chromosome, with the mother of the newborn passing the it to her son.
Two major forms of Hemophilia
The two most common types of Hemophilia are Hemophilia A and Hemophilia B. Hemophilia A is the most common type, with about every 1 in 4,500 males inheriting it. However, only about every 1 in 20,000 male newborns are born with Hemophilia B.
Diagnostic Tests
Screening tests and clotting factor tests are usually performed to determine whether or not the patient has Hemophilia. Screening tests are blood tests that show if the blood is clotting properly. Clotting factor tests, or factor assays, shows the type of Hemophilia and the severity of it. These are required to diagnose a bleeding disorder.
Is there any way to prevent Hemophilia?
As of now, there is no easy way to prevent Hemophilia since it is passed down to the son from his mother. If Hemophilia runs in your family, you may be tested to see whether you carry the defective gene, and receive counseling about your chance of having children with Hemophilia. You can also consider vitro fertilization. This may allow the selection and implantion of the embryos that lack the Hemophilia gene.
Vitro Fertilization
This is the preferred treatment of Hemophilia. It is treated by injecting the missing factor protein into the vein, which causes the factor available instantly in the blood stream.
Hemophilia Organizations
The three main support groups to help an individual with Hemophilia are the National Hemophilia Foundation, the Hemophilia Federation of America, and My Hemophilia Team.
National Hemophilia Foundation
Hemophilia Federation of America
Website: www.hemophiliaefd.org
Phone: 202-675-6984
Address: 820 First Street NE, Suite 720
Washington, DC 20002
My Hemophilia Team
Website: www.myhemophiliateam.com
You can sign up for My Hemophilia Team and create an account