Haemophilia A
| Haemophilia A | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Hemophilia A |
| Protein structure of coagulation factor VIII, of which its deficiency is the cause of haemophilia A. | |
| Specialty | Haematology |
| Symptoms | Prolonged bleeding from common injuries |
| Causes | Factor VIII deficiency |
| Diagnostic method | Bleeding time, coagulation screen, genetic testing |
| Prevention | Hepatitis B vaccine should be considered |
| Treatment | Factor VIII, factor VIII inhibitors, emicizumab |
Haemophilia A (or hemophilia A) is a blood clotting disorder caused by a genetic deficiency in clotting factor VIII, thereby resulting in significant susceptibility to bleeding, both internally and externally. This condition occurs almost exclusively in males born to carrier mothers due to X-linked recessive inheritance. Nevertheless, rare isolated cases do emerge from de novo (spontaneous) mutations.
The medical management of individuals with hemophilia A frequently entails the administration of factor VIII medication through slow intravenous injection. This intervention aims to address and preempt additional bleeding episodes in affected individuals.