5 Things to Know About Hemophilia During World Awareness Day

World Hemophilia Day, which takes place on April 17 each year, spotlights a rare blood disorder that keeps the blood from clotting,¹ which can lead to patients with the condition bruising easily and cause minor injuries to bleed more than normal. The condition can be life-threatening if not treated, making it important to get diagnosed as soon as possible. These are 5 things to know about as World Hemophilia Day begins:

1. Hemophilia Is a Genetic Condition

Patients who are diagnosed with hemophilia most commonly inherit the condition, as there are certain genetic changes that can prevent the body from making clotting factors, such as proteins in the blood. Genes often provide the instructions for how to make these blood clotting factors, which is why the majority of patients with hemophilia have inherited it from a parent. However, about 33% of infants diagnosed with hemophilia have no family history of the condition,² making it important to look for signs regardless of previous family history.

2. Symptoms of Hemophilia Include Bleeding, Bruising

Excessive bleeding and bruising are the major signs that a patient could have hemophilia.¹ Bleeding can occur for no reason, such as sudden nosebleeds, or last for a long time after a serious injuries. Bruising can happen in patients with hemophilia from minor injuries, with babies and toddlers potentially developing bumps on their head if they hit their heads at all. Aches, swelling, or heat in the joints can develop with internal bleeding. Infants could be fussy or refuse to crawl with these symptoms, and parents should look out for bruises or swollen areas in their limbs. Life-threatening symptoms of hemophilia can be persistent headaches, double vision, or fatigue, which could indicate bleeding in the brain.

3. There Are 3 Types of Hemophilia

The most common type of hemophilia is hemophilia A, which occurs when individuals have low levels of clotting factor 8.³ About 70% of hemophilia A cases are genetic and can be identified through complete blood count, genetic testing, or a clotting factor test. Hemophilia B and hemophilia C are more rare forms of the condition, affecting clotting factor 9 and factor 11, respectively.

4. Treatment for Hemophilia Varies by Patient

Although all forms of hemophilia are similar, the means of treating the condition can vary by what a patient needs and the severity of the condition. Replacement therapy, where the patient receives human plasma or clotting factors made in the lab, could be used for patients who have more severe forms of the condition. Hemophilia A can also be treated by offering a nonfactor product that replaces the function of factor 8.⁴ This is done through a standard injection under the skin.

Other treatments can include emicizumab (Hemlibra; Genentech), which can replace the function of factor 8; epsilon amino caproic acid (Amicar; Mikart Inc), which can prevent blood clots from breaking down; and gene therapies valoctocogene roxaparvovec-rvox (Roctavian; BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc) and etranacogene dezaparvovec (Hemgenix; uniQure Inc), which are made up of viruses that carry a gene for the appropriate clotting factor.⁴

5. Long-Term Outlook Has Improved in Those With Hemophilia

Hemophilia can affect the life expectancy of those who are diagnosed, but long-term outlook has improved with updated treatments.⁵ Prognosis is best when a child is diagnosed right away with hemophilia and can be put on a health plan that works for them. Historically, many patients with hemophilia would not live past 20 years in the mid-20th century. However, treatment options have allowed for patients with severe hemophilia A or B to live within 10 years of average life expectancy in the general population. Patients diagnosed with mild or moderate hemophilia will often have the same life expectancy as the general population. With research continuing to look for new treatment methods in hemophilia, patients with the condition can look forward to improved quality of life and prognosis.

References

1. Hemophilia. Cleveland Clinic. Updated October 1, 2025. Accessed April 9, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14083-hemophilia
2. How hemophilia is inherited. CDC. May 15, 2024. Accessed April 9, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/hemophilia/testing/how-hemophilia-is-inherited.html
3. Hemophilia A. Cleveland Clinic. Updated October 1, 2025. Accessed April 9, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23197-hemophilia-a
4. Treatment of hemophilia. CDC. November 13, 2024. Accessed April 9, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/hemophilia/treatment/index.html
5. Shapiro L. Hemophilia prognosis: life expectancy and outlook. Hemophilia News Today. Updated June 13, 2025. Accessed April 9, 2026. https://hemophilianewstoday.com/hemophilia-prognosis-life-expectancy/