World Hemophilia Day 2013

World hemophilia day is observed on the 17^th of April each year. The theme for this year 2013, is "close the gap" of hemophilia care around the world.

The day is celebrated by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) to create awareness, improve treatment of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders and to harness funds and volunteers for the cause.

world hemophilia day 2012
World Hemophilia Day falls on 17th April every year and is dedicated to stepping up awareness of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder that occurs because the blood plasma lacks a protein necessary for clotting. There are two types of hemophilia –

Hemophilia A – In this type of hemophilia, clotting factor VIII required to prevent clotting is deficient. This type of the disease is more common and accounts for 85% of affected .

Hemophilia B – In this type of hemophilia, factor IX - another clotting factor, also called the Christmas factor, is missing. It accounts for 15% of people affected by hemophilia.

Hemophilia - Causes - Treatment - Genetic Testing - Support Groups
Hemophilia is a rare single gene, X- linked disorder, which tends to run in families.

In both these types of hemophilia the severity of the disease depends on the extent of the deficiency.

Hemophilia is a genetic disease caused by a defective gene on the X-chromosome. If females have a defective gene they will be carriers, as they have two X-chromosomes, and will pass it on to their sons.

Thalassemia - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Future Therapies
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder passed on through parental genes causing the body to produce abnormal hemoglobin.

A male with the defective gene will have the disease, as men have only one X-chromosome. An affected man will not be able to pass on the disease to his sons as they would inherit only the Y genes from him.

Symptoms of hemophilia include severe bleeding after circumcision or injury, frequent falls, swollen and bruised joints, especially when the child is learning to walk.

High Treatment Costs Bleeding Patients, Say Doctors
India has nearly over 100,000 haemophilia patients with only a few able to afford the high costs, say leading doctors.

In sporadic cases, the disease comes to light when the child is hurt, causing in a bleeding that refuses to stop. If there is a family history, the child may be tested for hemophilia at birth. In the majority of the affected cases (70%) there is a family history.

Those with moderate or mild hemophilia may actually not bear the consequences of the disease until they are injured or undergo a surgery. On the other hand those with the severe form of the disease will suffer internal injuries too (besides the usual external ones) which may result in severe bone deformity, breathing problems, hematuria or brain damage.

WFH has been liaising with various other groups and organizations to bridge the gap in hemophilia care, by improving and sustaining treatment for affected people across the globe.

More and more people need to be aware of the disease and also the methods involved in the management. With careful monitoring and timely medical help to avoid complications a person can live with this severe disorder.

Source-Medindia