HEMOPHILIA B

Overview & Facts

  • Hemophilia causes abnormal blood clotting leading to difficulty in stopping bleeding, both outside and inside the body.
  • Can be serious yet treatable and one can life fully with a proper treatment plan.
  • Persons with hemophilia are lacking in a protein that helps in blood clot formation. For hemophilia B, there is a lack or absence of factor IX, and more than 50% of people with the condition have a severe case (almost complete absence of factor IX in blood).
  • Diagnosis is made in early childhood and this type occurs in about 10% of people with hemophilia.
  • Boys get this condition more than girls.
  • Genetic in nature; inherited from mother or through gene mutation.

Types & Symptoms

(Similar to Hemophilia A) Main symptoms: bleeding more than usual and easy bruising.

Some examples are:

  • Nosebleeds for no reason
  • Profuse bleeding from small injuries
  • Bleeding from a cut or injury that begins again after stopping
  • Blood in urine or stool
  • Large bruises

Bleeding may also occur in the brain. If one notices a bump on the head — even if it is a small one — and experiences one or more of the following symptoms, alert a physician:

  1. Headache
  2. Pain and stiffness of the neck
  3. Vomiting
  4. Feeling sleepy
  5. Suddenly feeling weak; difficulty in walking

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

  • Blood tests may be done, such as:
  • Physician may get the history of the condition and ask questions about:
    • Patient’s concern and reason behind it
    • Cause of injury
    • Duration of bleeding
    • Medications being taken
    • Other medical concerns
    • Family medical history
  • (Similar to Hemophilia A) Consult a physician if one notices easy bruising or or bleeding longer than usual from small injuries.
    • Complete blood count (CBC)
    • Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) to check how long the blood takes to clot
    • Factor VIII (for hemophilia A) and factor IX (for hemphilia B) tests

 

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

  • Factor IX replacement therapy to control hemophilia
  • Factor IX may com from human blood or from a lab
  • Can be self-administered or given at a clinic
  • If severe, treatment should be done regularly. For milder cases, treatment is done whenever necessary.

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