Hemophilia A overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Fahd Yunus, M.D. [2]
Overview
Hemophilia A is a blood clotting disorder caused by a mutation of the factor VIII gene, leading to a deficiency in Factor VIII. It is the most common hemophilia. Inheritance is X-linked recessive; hence, males are affected while females are carriers or very rarely display a mild phenotype. 1 in 5,000 males are affected.
Historical Perspective
Hemophilia is sometimes referred to as “The Royal Disease”, as it affected many members of the English, German, Russian and Spanish monarchies in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Classification
Hemophilia A may be classified according to the amount of Factor VIII present, resulting in either a mild, moderate, or severe form of the disease. [1]
Pathophysiology
The pathogenesis of hemophilia A is characterized by genetic deficiency in Factor VIII.
Causes
Hemophilia A is caused by an inherited X-linked recessive trait, with the defective gene located on the X chromosome.
Differentiating [Disease] from Other Diseases
Hemophilia A must be differentiated from other diseases that cause abnormal or excessive bleeding [2]
The most important differential diagnosis is that of hemophilia B (also known as Christmas disease) or von Willebrand disease. The former is usually considered if factor VIII levels are normal in a person with a haemophilia phenotype. The latter is excluded on routine testing for that condition.
Epidemiology and Demographics
The incidence of Hemophilia A is approximately 1 per 5,000 to 10,000 males worldwide. In 2016, it was estimated that 20,000 males in the United States were living with Hemophilia A [3]
Risk Factors
Risk factors for development of hemophilia A include being of male sex and having a positive family history of the disease.
Screening
Screening for hemophilia A revolves around obtaining a thorough family history of bleeding.
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
- Hemophilia A presentation varies depending on the stage of the disease: [4]
- People with mild hemophilia (5-40% of factor VIII activity in the blood) generally present with excessive bleeding following surgery (such as a dental procedure) or trauma. They may remain asymptomatic otherwise for long period of time, even into late adulthood
- People with moderate hemophilia (1-5% of factor VIII activity in the blood) have presentation ranging between mild and severe forms. They present earlier than patients with mild hemophilia, and may bleed following minor trauma
- People with severe hemophilia (less than 1% of factor VIII in blood) present sooner in life with abnormal bleeding episodes, usually in the first year of life. They are also at risk for spontaneous hemorrhages, i.e. unprovoked bleeding episodes, frequently in the joints and muscles
Natural History
Clinical features are usually related to abnormal or spontaneous bleeding, and can be separated into internal bleeds and external bleeds [5] [6]
Complications
Many of the long-term sequelae of hemophilia A are either related to the morbidity of severe bleeds, or from side effects of frequent transfusions
Prognosis
With appropriate assistance and education, patients with Hemophilia can live productive lives, both in terms of longevity and quality of life. The prognosis of these patients is helped greatly with the availability of replacement therapy.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
The diagnosis may be suspected as coagulation testing reveals an increased PTT in the context of a normal PT and bleeding time. The diagnosis is made in the presence of very low (<10 IU) levels of factor VIII.
History and Symptoms
Hemophilia leads to a severely increased risk of bleeding from common injuries. Mild hemophilia is usually asymptomatic, unless the patient experiences an injury or undergoes surgery. Bleeding into large joints or muscles is the most common site of bleeding in hemophilia. Though uncommon, spontaneous or traumatic intracranial hemorrhages are the most catastrophic complication of hemophilia.
Physical Examination
Physical exam findings are in Hemophilia A are usually related to the site of bleeding. [7]
Laboratory Findings
The typical coagulation profile of a patient with hemophilia A usually presents as the following: [8]
- Prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
- Normal prothrombin time
- Normal bleeding time
- Normal fibrinogen level
- Low factor VIII
Other laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of hemophilia A include correction of the PTT with a 1:1 mixing study (i.e. factor VIII from the normal blood mixed with the hemophiliac blood is able to correct for the coagulation deficit)
Imaging Findings
There are no imaging findings classically associated with hemophilia
Other Diagnostic Studies
Genetic testing appears to be a promising means of determining an individual's risk of attaining or passing on Hemophilia.
Treatment
There is no definitive treatment for hemophilia A, the mainstay of therapy is supportive and preventative care. It is recommended that patients diagnosed with hemophilia be referred to hemophilia treatment centers (HTC), which provide coordinated care between physicians (usually hematologists), nurses, social workers and other staff who specialize in bleeding disorders. [9]
Medical Therapy
Most haemophilia patients require regular supplementation with intravenous recombinant factor VIII, also known as replacement therapy. Apart from "routine" supplementation, extra factor concentrate is given around surgical procedures and after trauma, as well as emergently during any bleeding episode. [10]
Other therapeutic options include cryoprecipitate, fresh frozen plazma (FFP), desmopressin (DDAVP), and anti-fibrinoltytic agents.
Surgery
There is no role for surgery in the routine treatment of hemophilia A. Surgical intervention however may be required in cases where hematomas or bleeds from the disease process cannot be managed conservatively, i.e. with major intracranial hemorrhages
Prevention
There are no established measures for the primary prevention of Hemophilia A. Secondary prevention for hemophilia A is aimed at preventing spontaneous or excessive bleeds in patients who are high risk, and relies on the use of recombinant clotting factor VIII to prevent bleeding episodes.
References
- ↑ How is Hemophilia Diagnosed? – NHLBI, NIH. Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hemophilia/diagnosis. Accessed on July 30, 2016
- ↑ Konkle BA, Josephson NC, Nakaya Fletcher S. Hemophilia A. 2000 Sep 21 [Updated 2014 Jun 5]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2016. Available from: http://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.laneproxy.stanford.edu/books/NBK1404/
- ↑ What is Hemophilia? – NHLBI, NIH. Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hemophilia. Accessed on Sept 20, 2016
- ↑ Severity of Hemophilia – World Federation of Hemophilia. Available at http://www.wfh.org/en/page.aspx?pid=643. Accessed on July 30,2016
- ↑ What are the signs and symptoms of Hemophilia? – NHLBI, NIH. Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hemophilia/signs. Accessed on Sept 20, 2016
- ↑ Types of Bleeds | National Hemophilia Foundation. Available at https://www.hemophilia.org/Bleeding-Disorders/Types-of-Bleeds . Accessed on Sept 20, 2016
- ↑ What are the signs and symptoms of Hemophilia? – NHLBI, NIH. Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hemophilia/signs. Accessed on Sept 20, 2016
- ↑ Diagnosis | Hemophilia | NCBDDD | CDC. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hemophilia/diagnosis.html. Accessed on Sept 20, 2016
- ↑ Konkle BA, Josephson NC, Nakaya Fletcher S. Hemophilia A. 2000 Sep 21 [Updated 2014 Jun 5]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2016. Available from: http://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.laneproxy.stanford.edu/books/NBK1404/
- ↑ Treatment of Hemophilia – World Federation of Hemophilia. Available at http://www.wfh.org/en/page.aspx?pid=642. Accessed on Sept 20, 2016
- History of Bleeding Disorders | National Hemophilia Foundation. Available at . Accessed on July 30, 2016
- How is Hemophilia Diagnosed? – NHLBI, NIH. Available at . Accessed on July 30, 2016
- Severity of Hemophilia – World Federation of Hemophilia. Available at . Accessed on July 30,2016
- Facts | Hemophilia | NCBDDD | CDC. Available at . Accessed on July 30,2016
- Data & Statistics | Hemophilia | NCBDDD | CDC. Available at Accessed on July 30,2016
- Handbook of Genetic Counseling/Hemophilia and Von Willebrand Disease – Wikibooks, open books for an open world. Available at Accessed on July 30,2016
- Konkle BA, Josephson NC, Nakaya Fletcher S. Hemophilia A. 2000 Sep 21 [Updated 2014 Jun 5]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2016. Available from:http://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.laneproxy.stanford.edu/books/NBK1404/