⇒ Hemophilia occurs in 1 in 6,000-10,000 males internationally.
⇒ Currently, in Kenya there are around 600 people with varying degrees of severity.
There are 2 types of Hemophilia:
⇒Hemophilia A(classical Hemophilia) is the most common type and caused when there is not enough clotting factor VIII in the blood.
⇒Hemophilia B(Christmas disease) occurs when there is not enough clotting factor IX in the blood.
• Bleeding is most commonly internal into the joints and/or muscles. It can happen without an obvious cause (sometimes called ‘spontaneous’), or as a result of injury.
• Over time this internal bleeding (‘bleeds’) can cause severe arthritis, chronic pain and disability.
• Specialised treatment is needed to help blood clot normally. With appropriate treatment Hemophilia can be managed effectively.
• Hemophilia is an inherited condition and occurs in families; however in 1/3 of cases it appears in families with no previous history of the disorder. The genetic alteration causing hemophilia is passed down from parent to child through generations.
• Men with Hemophilia will pass the gene on to their daughters but not their sons. Women who carry the gene can pass the gene on to their sons and daughters. Sons with the gene will have Hemophilia. Some women and girls who carry the gene may also experience bleeding problems.