Hemophilia is a rare blood disorder that occurs when the blood doesn’t clot normally because the patient lacks sufficient blood-clotting proteins (or clotting factors). Patients with hemophilia often bleed for a longer duration after surgery, trauma, or injury, and may even risk non visual internal bleeding (i.e., head, elbows, ankles, and knees) when blood doesn’t clot sufficiently. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 5000 born will be hemophiliacs. Approximately 20,000 residents in America suffer from hemophilia.

When a person bleeds, what normally happens is that the blood pulls blood cells together to create a clot that prevents bleeding. Some blood particles encourage clotting to take place. Hemophilia takes place when you have complications on these clotting factors. Signs and symptoms of hemophilia may include:

• Excessive bleeding from injuries or cuts, or after dental work or surgery
• Deep and large bruises
• Swelling, pain, and tightness in the joints
• Blood in stool or urine

The main types of hemophilia include:

1. Hemophilia type A
Hemophilia is caused by a defective or missing factor VIII protein. It is thought to be genetically transferred from parent to child as the X chromosome carries the hemophilia gene, which is inherited in an X-intertwined formula. As a result, two X chromosomes carrying hemophilia have to be inherited for the condition to be activated in women, and a single chromosome in men. However, this type may also occur as a result of spontaneous genetic mutation. Over 50% of individuals with this type A hemophilia have the chronic type of the disease.

2. Hemophilia B
Hemophilia B is also known as factor IX deficiency, or Christmas disease. Just like other hemophilia types, type B is also genetically transferred and it is caused by defective or missing factor IX, which is a clotting agent. Even though the disease is genetically transferred, a third of cases are caused by a change in the gene, also called spontaneous mutation.

3. Hemophilia C
People with hemophilia C have FXI deficiency. Just like other types of hemophilia, hemophilia gene is also passed from one generation to another. It can affect both male and female persons. You can also get the disease because of another disease like lupus, although this is very rare. This hemophilia is the fourth most common bleeding condition after the other hemophilia types and VWD. 1 out of 100000 individuals has this type of hemophilia. Unlike other types of hemophilia, type C is the most predominant, particularly in patients with Eastern European ancestry. Muscle and joint bleeds are rare with this type of hemophilia. Symptoms tend to vary and relates differently according to an individual’s FXI level. Bleeds are common after trauma, dental procedures, or surgery, however, bleeding is inconsistent and unpredictable.