Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder, wherein bleeding can occur externally or internally. There are three types of hemophilia called hemophilia A, hemophilia B, and hemophilia C. Hemophilia occurs when the blood is unable to clot as it should. Here is what you should know about the diagnosis and treatment options for hemophilia.
Diagnosing Those With A History Of Hemophilia
One of the diagnosis and treatment options for hemophilia is to understand whether the family had a history of hemophilia. If there is someone in the family who has a history of hemophilia then baby boys are tested right after they are born. Sometimes, the test of checking if hemophilia has developed later in the boy is required. A doctor will need a family medical history to check whether a baby faces a high risk or not.
Diagnosing Those Without A History Of Hemophilia
Many babies that do not have a family history of hemophilia develop it. A doctor will check a newborn if for bleeding in the brain or scalp if the delivery did not go as smoothly as planned. A doctor can check whether a child has hemophilia when the bleeding doesn’t stop for a long time after blood is drawn for tests. A doctor can notice unusual raised bruise or bruises that can indicate hemophilia.
Diagnosis With Screening Tests
The diagnosis and treatment options for hemophilia is done with screening tests. The four most common types of screening tests are complete blood count (CBC) test, fibrinogen test, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test, and prothrombin time (PT) test. Screening tests are blood tests that enable the doctor to understand whether the blood is clotting normally or not. If it is not, then it can indicate hemophilia.
Diagnosis With Clotting Factor Tests
Clotting factor tests or factor essays can diagnose bleeding disorders and the doctor can find out which type of hemophilia one is suffering from. It also tells the doctor how severe hemophilia is. When the type and severity of hemophilia are confirmed, it can help the doctor recommend the best treatment. Clotting tests show the levels of factors 8 or 9 in the blood. For example, people with severe hemophilia have less than 1% of levels of factor 8 or 9 in their blood.
Treatment For Hemophilia With Factor Concentrates
The diagnosis and treatment options for hemophilia using factor concentrates is one of the treatment options. There are two main types available called recombinant factor concentrates and plasma-derived factor concentrates. The recombinant factor concentrates used to be made with human plasma but in 1992, the FDA approved a concentrate that was made using DNA technology. The plasma-derived concentrate products are those that are made with human plasma proteins.
Other Treatment options
There are other known treatment options for people with hemophilia apart from the major two factor concentrates. Desmopressin Acetate, Hemlibra, Cryoprecipitate, and Amicar are the other products that can be used for treating hemophilia. Desmopressin Acetate release factor VIIII (8). Hemlibra replaces factor VIII (8). Cryoprecipitate helps control serious bleeding. Amicar helps stop blood clots from breaking down.
Treatments For Issues Related To Hemophilia
The diagnosis and treatment options for hemophilia include treating problems that are associated with the disorder such as monitoring physical activities and treating joints that bleed. One needs to prevent injury because if they get injured then the chances of bleeding are high. The doctor will inform a person about which activities they can do. The doctor can suggest physical therapy, resting, and icing if the joints bleed. He/she will first recommend treatment with a clotting factor.