Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

How does hemophilia type A and type B differentiate when blood clots occur?

Hi there,

When it comes to what happens when a person is bleeding, the two types of hemophilia are not different. What is different is the clotting factor affected, but the result is the same. You can do an internet search for more information, but here is the information from one site: http://www.wfh.org/en/page.aspx?pid=637#Difference_A_B

I hope that helps. Please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions.

Heather

Thank you so much, this website was exactly what I needed. It answers most of my questions. I really appreciate it you taking the time to reply back.

Does hemophilia have to do with the immune system? And if so how?

Hi lupeee_1995,

That is a good question, though the answer is a bit more complicated. The short answer is, sometimes.

Generally hemophilia is an X-linked genetic disorder, and doesn't really have much to do with the immune system. However it's possible for the disorder to be acquired later in life. This acquired hemophilia is caused by a rare autoimmune condition in which the immune system produces antibodies to the body's own coagulation factors VIII or IX.

Also worth mentioning is a rare complication of treatment (factor concentrate), in which the body recognizes the concentrate as foreign, and mounts an immune response. The antibodies to the factor concentrate are called inhibitors.

Hope that helps!