Haemophilia

What is haemophilia?

Haemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder where the blood doesn't clot properly. It is caused when blood does not have enough clotting factor. A clotting factor factor is a protein in blood that controls bleeding.

• Haemophilia A (also called classical haemophilia) is the most common form, and is caused by having low levels of factor VIII (8)
• Haemophilia B (sometimes called Christmas Disease) is caused by having low levels of factor IX (9).

IHaemophilia is not contagious. It is a genetic condition and a person with haemophilia is born with it. It can be inherited and passed on from parent to child.

What causes haemophilia?

Everyone has the gene that makes clotting factor VIII (the factor 8 or F8 gene) and the gene that makes clotting factor IX (the factor 9 or F9 gene). These factors are needed for blood to clot. 

Haemophilia is caused by a change (mutation or alteration) in the F8 or F9 gene. The gene does not work as well as it should. As a result, the body does not make enough factor VIII (8) or factor IX (9) for blood to clot properly.
 

Who has haemophilia?

In Australia there are more than 3,100 people diagnosed with haemophilia. Both males and females with less than 40% of the normal level of clotting factor are now recognised as having haemophilia.

Most people who have been diagnosed with haemophilia are male. However, around 20-30% of females with the gene change have reduced factor levels and bleeding symptoms and may have haemophilia, usually mild haemophilia.  Severe haemophilia in females is very rare.

What happens when you have haemophilia?

A person with haemophilia does not bleed any faster than anyone else, but bleeding can continue for longer if it is not treated. This results in poor healing. Minor bruising or scratches on the skin are not usually a problem. 

For people with haemophilia, situations become more serious when there is internal or prolonged bleeding. If normal first aid does not stop the bleeding, without other treatment the bleeding can continue for days. Specialised treatment will be needed so blood can clot normally.

Bleeding is most commonly internal. The low levels of clotting factor produce a wide range of bleeding episodes, usually into the joints or muscles. These bleeding episodes, or 'bleeds', may occur spontaneously, without an obvious cause, or as a result of trauma or injury. Specialised treatment is needed and is often infused or injected into a vein. If internal bleeding is not stopped quickly with treatment, it will result in pain and swelling. Over a period of time bleeding into joints and muscles can cause permanent damage such as arthritis, chronic pain and joint damage requiring surgery.

Women and girls may have heavy and/or long menstrual periods. This is called heavy menstrual bleeding or sometimes abnormal uterine bleeding or menorrhagia. It can lead to anaemia (low levels of red blood cells or iron in the body).

Some women may also have heavy bleeding for a long time after childbirth.

It is important for people with haemophilia to involve their haemophilia treating team with any medical or dental procedures or surgery – anything larger than a blood test - to make sure it is managed safely.