About Bleeding Disorders

Types of Hemophilia

Hemophilia is one of the most common bleeding disorders and is classified as follows

Hemophilia A

Also called classic hemophilia, it is 4 times more common than hemophilia B, and it occurs when factor VIII levels are deficient.

Hemophilia B

Also called Christmas disease, it occurs when factor IX levels are deficient.

A person with hemophilia can bleed inside or outside of the body. Hemophilia severities are classified as mild, moderate and severe, depending on the amount of factor protein contained in the blood. People with hemophilia do not bleed more than other people they just bleed longer. The most common types of bleeds are into the joints and muscles.

Hemophilia occurs in about 1 of every 5,000 male births. Currently, about 20,000 males in the United States are living with the disorder. People with hemophilia have low levels of either factor VIII or factor IX . The severity of hemophilia that a person has is determined by the amount of factor in the blood.

Mild hemophilia

Greater than 5% but less that 50% factor levels

Moderate Hemophilia

1% to 5% factor levels

Severe Hemophilia

Less than 1% factor levels

The lower the amount of the factor, the more likely it is that bleeding will occur which can lead to serious health problems.

Types of Von Willebrand

VWD symptoms include frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising and excessive bleeding following surgery or dental work. Although VWD occurs in men and women equally, women are more likely to experience additional complications as a result of heavy or abnormal bleeding during their menstrual periods and excessive bleeding after childbirth.

Type 1

is the most common and mildest form of VWD, in which a person has lower than normal levels of VWF. About 85% of people treated for VWD have Type 1.

Type 2

Type 2 occurs when the body makes normal amounts of the VWF, but the factor does not work the way it should. Because the treatment is different for each type, it is important that a person know which subtype he or she has.

Type 3

Type 3 is the most severe form of VWD, in which a person has very little or no VWF. This is the rarest type of VWD. Only 3% of people with VWD have Type 3.