Page 6 - HFA Annual Report 2014
P. 6
WE ARE FEW
According to the CDC, it is estimated that approximately
20,000 people are living with hemophilia in the United States.
H emophilia is a complex disorder in which the blood Hemophilia A – Also called “classic hemophilia,” is four
does not clot properly. A person with a bleeding
disorder does not necessarily bleed more intensely than times more common than hemophilia B and occurs when
factor VIII levels are deficient.
anyone else, but can bleed for a much longer time. For
people with severe hemophilia, even a minor injury can Hemophilia B – Also called “Christmas disease,” occurs
result in blood loss continuing for days or weeks, or never when factor IX levels are lacking. This type of hemophilia
healing completely. Bleeds like these in areas such as the has nothing to do with the winter holiday; it was named
brain or inside joints can be permanently debilitating or after Stephen Christmas, the first person diagnosed with
even fatal. Hemophilia affects 1 in 5,000 male births in the the condition.
US, or approximately 400 babies, each year. Hemophilia C – This occurs when factor XI levels are
deficient.
Bleeding disorders are treated differently depending on
which protein is missing in the blood and causing problems Acquired hemophilia – A person can develop hemophilia
in the normal clotting process. These proteins work with as a result of illness, medications, or pregnancy. Acquired
platelets to help the blood clot. Typical clotting factor levels hemophilia is extremely rare and can usually be resolved
range from 50 to 150%. People with hemophilia tend to have with proper diagnosis and treatment.
clotting factors from 0 - 30%. Hemophilia is one of the most Inhibitors – Approximately 30% of people with hemophil-
common bleeding disorders and is organized as follows: ia A and 2-3% of people with hemophilia B develop inhibi-
tors over time. Inhibitors are antibodies the body develops
because it sees the infused factor as a foreign substance
vWD is the most common that needs to be eliminated. Antibodies are proteins that
destroy the activated factor before it has time to stop the
type of bleeding disorder, bleeding.
AFFECTING AN The most common complication of hemophilia is joint dis-
ease. This occurs when repeated bleeding into the joints
ESTIMATED 1% leads to chronic swelling and pain, deformity and disabil-
ity. Predictably, many people with hemophilia suffer from
OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION. arthritis and, in severe instances, joint replacement or joint
fusion surgeries may provide the only relief.
According to the CDC, it is estimated that approximately
20,000 people are living with hemophilia in the United States.
H emophilia is a complex disorder in which the blood Hemophilia A – Also called “classic hemophilia,” is four
does not clot properly. A person with a bleeding
disorder does not necessarily bleed more intensely than times more common than hemophilia B and occurs when
factor VIII levels are deficient.
anyone else, but can bleed for a much longer time. For
people with severe hemophilia, even a minor injury can Hemophilia B – Also called “Christmas disease,” occurs
result in blood loss continuing for days or weeks, or never when factor IX levels are lacking. This type of hemophilia
healing completely. Bleeds like these in areas such as the has nothing to do with the winter holiday; it was named
brain or inside joints can be permanently debilitating or after Stephen Christmas, the first person diagnosed with
even fatal. Hemophilia affects 1 in 5,000 male births in the the condition.
US, or approximately 400 babies, each year. Hemophilia C – This occurs when factor XI levels are
deficient.
Bleeding disorders are treated differently depending on
which protein is missing in the blood and causing problems Acquired hemophilia – A person can develop hemophilia
in the normal clotting process. These proteins work with as a result of illness, medications, or pregnancy. Acquired
platelets to help the blood clot. Typical clotting factor levels hemophilia is extremely rare and can usually be resolved
range from 50 to 150%. People with hemophilia tend to have with proper diagnosis and treatment.
clotting factors from 0 - 30%. Hemophilia is one of the most Inhibitors – Approximately 30% of people with hemophil-
common bleeding disorders and is organized as follows: ia A and 2-3% of people with hemophilia B develop inhibi-
tors over time. Inhibitors are antibodies the body develops
because it sees the infused factor as a foreign substance
vWD is the most common that needs to be eliminated. Antibodies are proteins that
destroy the activated factor before it has time to stop the
type of bleeding disorder, bleeding.
AFFECTING AN The most common complication of hemophilia is joint dis-
ease. This occurs when repeated bleeding into the joints
ESTIMATED 1% leads to chronic swelling and pain, deformity and disabil-
ity. Predictably, many people with hemophilia suffer from
OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION. arthritis and, in severe instances, joint replacement or joint
fusion surgeries may provide the only relief.
