Hemophilia causes
Hemophilia occurs due to a problem in one of the genes that tell the body to produce the clotting factor proteins needed to form a blood clot.
Even though hemophilia is genetic, it may occur among families with no previous history. About one-third of recently diagnosed kids have no family history of hemophilia. These conditions are due to gene mutation (a change to the gene’s directions for building up the clotting factor protein). Gene mutation can prevent the clotting protein from acting accurately or prevent its multiplication.
Acquired hemophilia
Acquired hemophilia is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks blood clotting factor VIII and represses its role, leading to excessive bleeding occurs in patients with a personal and family history negative for hemorrhages.
The disease influences males and females equally, but it usually develops later in life.
About 50% of the cases of acquired hemophilia are idiopathic (unknown cause). Acquired hemophilia may occur with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or ulcerative colitis. Rarely, cancer or some drugs may be the cause.
Pregnant females may have acquired hemophilia during the first year after pregnancy, and this represents the majority of acquired cases in females younger than 40 years old.
ยป We have two chief types of acquired hemophilia :
1. acquired hemophilia A is due to factor VIII deficiency.
2. acquired hemophilia B is due to factor IX deficiency.
But, acquired hemophilia may involve other clotting factors in limited conditions.
