Hemophilia
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:
Causes, incidence, and risk factors |
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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.
Most often, hemophilia is diagnosed after a person has a bleeding episode or there is known family history of the condition.
Standard treatment involves replacing the missing clotting factor.
Most people with hemophilia are able to lead relatively normal lives. A small percentage of people with hemophilia may die from loss of blood.
Calling your health care provider |
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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.
Review Date:
2/6/2007
Reviewd 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.