Hemophilia A

Definition

Hemophilia A is a hereditary bleeding disorder caused by a lack of blood clotting factor VIII. Without enough factor VIII, the blood cannot clot properly to control bleeding.

Alternative Names

Factor VIII deficiency; Classic hemophilia; Bleeding disorder - hemophilia A

Causes

When you bleed, a series of reactions take place in the body that helps blood clots form. This process is called the coagulation cascade. It involves as many as 20 different special proteins called coagulation, or clotting, factors. You may have a higher chance of excess bleeding if one or more of these factors are missing or are not functioning like they should.

Factor VIII (eight) is one such coagulation factor. Hemophilia A is the result of the body not making enough factor VIII.

Hemophilia A is caused by an inherited X-linked recessive trait, with the variant gene located on the X chromosome. Females have two copies of the X chromosome. So if the factor VIII gene on one chromosome does not work, the gene on the other chromosome can do the job of making enough factor VIII.

Males have only one X chromosome. If the factor VIII gene is missing on a boy's X chromosome, he will have hemophilia A. For this reason, most people with hemophilia A are male.

If a woman has a variant factor VIII gene, she is considered a carrier. This means the variant gene can be passed down to her children. Boys born to such women have a 50% chance of having hemophilia A. Their daughters have a 50% chance of being a carrier. All female children of men with hemophilia carry the variant gene whereas male children do not.

Risk factors for hemophilia A include:

Family history of bleeding
Being male

Symptoms

The severity of symptoms vary. Prolonged bleeding is the main symptom. It is often first seen when an infant is circumcised. Other bleeding problems usually show up when the infant starts crawling and walking.

Mild cases may go unnoticed until later in life. Symptoms may first occur after surgery or injury. Internal bleeding may occur anywhere.

Symptoms may include:

Bleeding into joints with associated pain and swelling
Blood in the urine or stool
Bruising
Gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract bleeding
Nosebleeds
Prolonged bleeding from cuts, tooth extraction, and surgery
Bleeding that starts without cause

Exams and Tests

If you are the first person in your family to have a suspected bleeding disorder, your health care provider will order a series of tests called a coagulation study. Once the specific variant has been identified, other people in your family will need tests to diagnose the disorder.

Tests to diagnose hemophilia A include:

Treatment

Treatment includes replacing the missing clotting factor. You will receive factor VIII concentrates. How much you get depends on:

Severity of bleeding
Site of bleeding
Your weight and height

Mild hemophilia may be treated with desmopressin (desamino-8-arginine vasopressin or DDAVP). This medicine helps the body release factor VIII that is stored within the lining of blood vessels.

To prevent a bleeding crisis, people with hemophilia and their families can be taught to give factor VIII concentrates at home at the first signs of bleeding. People with severe forms of the disease may need regular preventive treatment.

DDAVP or factor VIII concentrate may also be needed before having dental extractions or surgery.

You should get the hepatitis B vaccine. People with hemophilia are more likely to get hepatitis B because they may receive blood products.

Some people with hemophilia A develop antibodies to factor VIII. These antibodies are called inhibitors. The inhibitors attack factor VIII so that it no longer works. In such cases, a man-made clotting factor called VIIa can be given.

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a hemophilia support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

Outlook (Prognosis)

With treatment, most people with hemophilia A are able to lead a fairly normal life.

If you have hemophilia A, you should have regular checkups with a hematologist.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

Long-term joint problems, which may require a joint replacement
Bleeding in the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage)
Blood clots due to treatment

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if:

Symptoms of a bleeding disorder develops
A family member has been diagnosed with hemophilia A
You have hemophilia A and you plan to have children; genetic counseling is available

Prevention

Genetic counseling may be recommended. Testing can identify women and girls who carry the hemophilia gene.

Testing can be done during pregnancy on a baby in the mother's womb.

References

Carcao M, Gomez K, Davide M, Pierce GF. Hemophilia A and B. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 134.

Ragni MV. Coagulation factor deficiencies. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 160.

Samelson-Jones BJ, Branchford BR, Flood VH. Hereditary clotting factor deficiencies (bleeding disorders). In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 525.