Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder caused by a lack of blood clotting factor. The disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on the level of clotting factor. More than 15,000 people in the United States have hemophilia.

The condition is usually inherited from a parent with a genetic mutation. However, in about a third of patients, there is no family history of the disease and the disorder is caused by a new genetic mutation. Although most children with hemophilia have signs of bleeding during infancy or childhood, some people with mild hemophilia may not have symptoms until they're adults.

The most common type of hemophilia, caused by a lack of clotting factor VIII, is called hemophilia A, or classic hemophilia. The second most common type is caused by a lack of clotting factor IX, and is called hemophilia B, also known as Christmas disease, named after Stephen Christmas, the first person diagnosed with the factor IX deficiency. Hemophilia A and B occur almost always in males. A third, very rare type of hemophilia, sometimes called Hemophilia C, is caused by a lack of clotting factor XI, and occurs in both males and females.

The UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center is a federally designated Hemophilia Comprehensive Care Center, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies. This means we provide a full range of services, including diagnosis, treatment, counseling and education to both adults and children with hemophilia and other congenital bleeding disorders.

Our team includes blood specialists, social workers, genetic counselors, nurse practitioners and orthopedic surgeons who provide you with the best possible care. Our center also provides genetic screening and counseling for inherited bleeding and clotting disorders as well as an extensive patient education program, including training for home infusion of clotting products.

To make an appointment, please call:
Hemophilia Treatment Center (415) 476-1280

For help finding a doctor, please contact our Physician Referral Service:

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated December 9, 2008