HMC urges screening for haemophilia

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), on the occasion of World Hemophilia Day that is observed on April 17 every year, is urging women who have experienced symptoms of a bleeding disorder to get screened for haemophilia.The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes haemophilia as a hereditary bleeding disorder due to a partial or total lack of an essential blood clotting factor. Common symptoms of the bleeding disorder include frequent nosebleeds, unexplained and uncontrolled bleeding and bruising.“When a person without haemophilia bleeds, normal levels of clotting factor - a protein in the blood - causes the blood to clot and the bleeding to stop. However, haemophiliacs (people with haemophilia) have lower levels of clotting factor in their blood and bleeding continues for much longer periods,” explained Dr Ahmed Abdulaziz Abdelbari, clinical pharmacist at Hamad General Hospital.“An affected individual can bleed profusely for a longer time after trauma. These haemorrhages commonly occur in joints, especially the knees, ankles and elbows, and into tissues and muscles. Haemophiliac women are particularly at risk of excessive postpartum bleeding following childbirth, and can experience prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding. They may require an iron supplement and sometimes need to undergo a hysterectomy. This is why it is important for women who carry the haemophilia gene to be aware of their status,” Dr Abdelbari stated. He further explained that symptomatic carriers and women with haemophilia may also bruise easily and experience prolonged bleeding after a surgery or trauma.It is a common misconception that only men have symptoms of haemophilia and that women who ‘carry’ the haemophilia gene do not experience symptoms themselves.The WHO says haemophilia A is the most common form, referred to as classical haemophilia, which is the result of a deficiency in clotting factor 8. Haemophilia B is a deficiency in clotting factor 9 and is a gender-linked recessive disorder.“Blood tests can determine the presence of the haemophilia condition, and more specifically whether it is a type A or a type B disease. It is always advisable for women to know their carrier status before becoming pregnant so they are better prepared to cope with their bleeding disorder. Families should consult their physician for advice and counselling about testing,” added Dr Abdelbari.