Written By: Prerna Mittra | Updated : April 17, 2025 3:24 PM IST
Medically Verified By: Dr Sanjeev Kumar Digra, professor and head of department of pediatrics at Government Medical College, Jammu
World Hemophilia Day: How To Recognise This Rare Bleeding Disorder (Photo: Freepik)
What is hemophilia? Every parent wants their child to grow up in a healthy manner and meet their developmental goals. But sometimes, some kids sustain severe wounds from minor bumps or falls, and parents may find their body covered in deep bruises. Doctors warn that these could be the first signs of hemophilia, a rare inherited bleeding disorder. According to the World Federation of Hemophilia, India had the highest number of cases in 2023. As such, it becomes crucial to create awareness about this condition and take proactive measures to deal with it.
According to Dr Sanjeev Kumar Digra, professor and head of department of pediatrics at Government Medical College, Jammu, hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder affecting the process of clotting. "Usually, when an individual sustains wounds, specific proteins called 'clotting factors' combine with platelets to stop bleeding. Patients with haemophilia, however, are unable to produce adequate amounts of these proteins due to faulty genes, causing them to bleed uncontrollably," the doctor explains.
The symptoms of hemophilia include:
Dr Sanjeev warns that in severe cases, bleeding occurs in the joints, causing swelling and inflammation inside. The condition can also affect several other organs. In severe cases, bleeding can occur inside the skull, making it a life-threatening situation.
"While the majority of cases are inherited, around 30 per cent occur without any family history," the doctor states.
According to the doctor, in order to delay complications, early diagnosis is critical. It can effectively manage haemophilia. Diagnosing the condition involves first knowing about the patient's family history. Then, a thorough physical checkup happens. A doctor may also conduct specific tests like a complete blood count, a prothrombin time test, a specific clotting factor test, and an activated partial thromboplastin time test. "These tests are meant to measure the time it takes to clot and check clotting factors."
Dr Sanjeev states that in the past, hemophilia management involved regular blood transfusions of plasma in case of episodic bleeding. "With advancements, the focus has shifted towards prevention and control. Administering prophylaxis or the missing clotting factors to prevent these episodes has become a highly effective method of management, which provides several benefits, such as reducing and preventing bleeding episodes, and lowering the risk of complications.
"Other than factor concentrates, there are medications available that encourage clotting by mimicking these clotting factors, thereby reducing bleeding. Advanced treatments such as gene therapy and extended half-life products are making it more convenient for patients to manage the condition," the doctor explains.
