SPS Apollo Hospitals, Ludhiana Celebrates World Hemophilia Day

Ludhiana, April 17, 2014: Bumps and scrapes are a part of every child's life. For most kids, a tumble off a bike or a stray kick in a soccer game means a temporary bruise or a healing scab. However, for kids with hemophilia, these normal traumas of childhood are reason for extra concern. Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder in which the blood doesn't clot normally.

Dr. Priyanka Gupta, Consultant & Head, Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, S.P.S. Apollo Hospitals, Ludhiana while addressing to a group of patients attendants in the hospital auditorium said that the awareness of this rare bleeding disorder among parents can lead to an early detection and cure of this disease.

 When most people get a cut, the body naturally protects itself. Sticky blood cells called platelets go to where the bleeding is and plug up the hole. This is the first step in the clotting process. When the platelets plug the hole, they release chemicals that attract more sticky platelets and also activate various proteins in the blood known as clotting factors. These proteins mix with the platelets to form fibers, and these fibers make the clot stronger and stop the bleeding

If you have hemophilia, you may bleed for a longer time than others after an injury. You also may bleed inside your body (internally), especially in your knees, ankles, and elbows. This bleeding can damage your organs and tissues and may be life threatening. A haemophiliac does not bleed more intensely than a person without it, but can bleed for a much longer time. In severe haemophiliacs even a minor injury can result in blood loss lasting days or weeks, or even never healing completely. In areas such as the brain or inside joints, this can be fatal or permanently debilitating.

 The two major forms of hemophilia occur much more commonly in males than in females. Hemophilia A is the most common type of the condition; 1 in 4,000 to 1 in 5,000 males worldwide are born with this disorder. Hemophilia B occurs in approximately 1 in 20,000 newborn males worldwide.

 Though there is no cure for haemophilia, it can be controlled with regular infusions of the deficient clotting factor, i.e. factor VIII in haemophilia A or factor IX in haemophilia B. Common standards of care fall into one of two categories: prophylaxis or on-demand. Prophylaxis involves the infusion of clotting factor on a regular schedule in order to keep clotting levels sufficiently high to prevent spontaneous bleeding episodes. On-demand treatment involves treating bleeding episodes once they arise.

It is recommended that people affected with haemophilia do specific exercises to strengthen the joints, particularly the elbows, knees, and ankles. Exercises include elements which increase flexibility, tone, and strength of muscles, increasing their ability to protect joints from damaging bleeds. These exercises are recommended after an internal bleed occurs and on a daily basis to strengthen the muscles and joints to prevent new bleeding problems.

 Since 1989, patient groups worldwide have annually marked World Haemophilia Day on 17 April to raise awareness and understanding of haemophilia and other bleeding disorders. The World Federation of Hempohilia (WFH) chose April 17th for World Hemophilia Day because their founder, Frank Schnabel, was born on that day. 

In 2014, World Hemophilia Day will focus on encouraging the global bleeding disorders community to Speak out. Create change. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Close the Gap” of care around the world.