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Hemophilia Treatment
Also called: Classic hemophilia, Factor VIII deficiency, Christmas disease, Factor IX deficiency
Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. A person with hemophilia may bleed longer after an injury or may bleed internally. The disorder can be mild, moderate, or severe. In some cases, it may be life-threatening.
Hemophilia is caused by low or missing clotting factor. Clotting factors are proteins in the blood needed for normal blood clotting. The type of hemophilia a person has depends on which clotting factor is affected.
Types of hemophilia include:
- Hemophilia A: lack of clotting factor VIII (8).
- Hemophilia B: lack of clotting factor IX (9).
- Hemophilia C: lack of clotting factor XI (11).
Hemophilia usually occurs due to a gene change (mutation) that is inherited (passed down in families). Sometimes the mutation is a new gene change. The disorder most often affects males.
Hemophilia is a lifelong disorder. There is no cure. But most people with hemophilia have a normal life expectancy. With the right treatment and self-care, a person with hemophilia can live a healthy, active life.
Find out more about hemophilia on the Together by St. Jude™ online resource.
Hemophilia treatment
Treatment for hemophilia depends on the severity of the disorder and the patient’s medical needs. Current therapies include:
- Clotting factor replacement therapy may be given to prevent bleeding episodes (prophlyaxis or prophy) or as needed for treatment of bleeding episodes.
- Other medicines such as desmopressin acetate (DDVAP) and antifibrinolytic medicines may be used to help the blood to clot or help prevent the breakdown of blood clots.
- Scientists are also studying new gene therapy treatments for hemophilia. Gene therapies work by changing or repairing genes to correct the defective genes that cause hemophilia. Researchers continue to test gene therapy in clinical trials.
Hemophilia clinical trials
St. Jude offers clinical trials and research studies for children, teens, and young adults with hemophilia. Learn more about clinical research at St. Jude.
Recruiting
Study goal:
This study will help researchers understand how hemophilia affects how patients think, feel, and experience school.
Age:
6 to 18 years old
Recruiting
Study goal:
To find out how much patients with hemophilia B, their caregivers, and health care workers know about gene therapy for this disease, and how they feel about gene therapy. This will help us better educate patients and caregivers about gene therapy for hemophilia B.
Age:
12 years and older
- A multidisciplinary team of staff at St. Jude provides the expert care needed to manage hemophilia and prevent long-term health problems.
- St. Jude helps each patient and family cope with the physical, emotional, psychological, educational, and social challenges related to having hemophilia.
- The St. Jude Bleeding Disorders Program is an important resource for patients and families affected by the disorder. The program has been named a Hemophilia Treatment Center by the federal government.
Seeking treatment at St. Jude
Patients accepted to St. Jude must have a disease we treat and must be referred by a physician or other qualified medical professional. We accept most patients based on their ability to enroll in an open clinical trial.
Contact the Physician / Patient Referral Office
Call: 1-888-226-4343 (toll-free) or 901-595-4055 (local) | Fax: 901-595-4011 | Email: referralinfo@stjude.org | 24-hour pager: 1-800-349-4334