*What You Need to Know About Haemophilia*

1) Haemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder that can be fatal if it occurs within a vital organ like the brain.

2)Haemepholia tends to affect men more than women as the gene can be passed from mother to son. It is estimated that 1 in every 5,000 males is born with this condition.

3) The two major types of hemophilia are - haemophilia A (caused by a deficiency in factor VIII) and haemophilia B (caused by a deficiency of factor IX). Hemophilia C  is a mild form of the disorder that’s caused by a deficiency of factor XI.

4) Haemophilia occurs because of a defect in one of the clotting factor genes on the X chromosome. Males have XY sex chromosomes and females have two XX sex chromosomes. Since males lack a second X chromosome they are unable to make up for the defective gene, increasing their risk of having a disease like haemophilia if they inherit an affected X chromosome that has a mutation in either the factor VIII or factor IX - these genes are located on the X chromosome.

5) However, the disorder can be acquired sometimes because of a spontaneous genetic mutation. It is estimated that about one-third of new cases are caused by a new mutation of the gene in the mother or the child.

6) The signs and symptoms of haemophilia can vary, depending on the severity of your factor deficiency or the level of clotting factors you have in the blood. The main symptom of haemophilia is bleeding that doesn’t stop, also known as prolonged bleeding. People with this bleeding disorder may have - skin that bruises easily, bleeding gums, excessive bleeding from cuts or injuries or after surgery, frequent nosebleeds that take a long time to stop, pain or tightness in the joints, blood in the urine or stool, unexplained irritability (in children).

7) People with haemophilia may also have a bleed inside their skull, although chances are small. Symptoms may include: a severe headache, vomiting, neck pain, sudden weakness, blurred or doubled vision, confusion, loss of coordination and balance, extreme sleepiness, convulsions, etc.

8) A blood test can help diagnose haemophilia and find out how severe it is. Currently, there's no known cure for haemophilia, however, treatment can help a person with the condition enjoy a good quality of life.