For Patients/Families

Hemophilia
A genetically inherited disease characterized by hemorrhaging and severe bleeding. The problem is the deficiency of a key clotting factor which is absent in hemophiliacs. The hemophilia A gene is carried by females, but does not affect the female. It only affects their sons, who have a 50% chance of having hemophilia. One of the first signs of hemophilia can be excessive bleeding from circumcision. When bleeding occurs, plasma or other clotting factor VIII preparations may be infused to promote clotting. These patients are best treated in a clinic that specializes in these problems.