HAEMOPHILIA-BLEEDING DISORDERS CAN BE DANGEROUS, DON’T IGNORE THEM-DR. SUNIL CHOPRA

HAEMOPHILIA is an X-linked chromosomal bleeding disorder which was first discovered by JOHN CONRAD OTTO (a Philadelphia physician) in 1803.Precisely speaking it is an inherited bleeding condition in which the blood doesn’t clot properly and timely .

‘Haemophilia’ is a compound word consisting of  two Greek words ‘haemo’ ( blood) and ‘philia'( attraction to).This condition impairs the ability of the body to make clots.It is worth mentioning here that many metabolic and blood diseases arise due to abnormalities of  genes.Apart from the other functions,the  genes also have to monitor formation of proteins from the basic AMINO ACIDS.Our blood clotting system is quite a complicated process, needs  special proteins….factors Vlll, IX, etc .In haemophilia these factors don’t get formed due to an inherited genetic deficiency.

A haemophiliac bleeds excessively even from a minor injury and may succumb to it unless the missing factor is administered.The disorder is of three types viz  A,B & C.In severe cases the bleeding can occur even in brain or inside joints which can be permanently debilitating or even fatal.

This is primarily a disease of males,but this doesn’t mean that it never occurs in females.The females are usually carriers.According to one survey approx. 10 to 80 % of people with haemophilia are present in developing countries like India.Hundreds of cases of this disorder remain undiagnosed and many are not registered.The worldwide incidence is 1 case per 5000 males.The famous personalities who have had haemophilia are….Queen Victoria , Richard Burton,Alex Borstein and Ryan White.

THE WORLD HEMOPHILIA DAY is about bringing the global bleeding disorders community closer,understand and share problems faced by each other.

This year’s theme is…….’ADAPTING A CHANGE , SUSTAINING CARE IN A NEW WORLD’.

The severity of the disease depends  on how little factor VIII is in the blood.

The treatment is managed by giving factor VIII concentrate to control bleeding .Many patients require frequent blood transfusions.

Covid 19 has adversely affected the lives of all the patients including those suffering from the bleeding disorders. It has drastically changed the entire world,but one thing has not changed,i.e. our brotherhood,will power, optimism and this should be the spirit.

Dr.Sunil Chopra is an alumnus of SCD Govt College, Ludhiana.