Hemophilia B

Hemophilia B is a type of hemophilia, an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. Also known as Christmas disease, hemophilia B is caused by a mutation in the F9 gene. People with hemophilia B have a partial or complete lack of clotting factor 9 (IX). Approximately 1 in 10 people with hemophilia have hemophilia B. Common symptoms of hemophilia B include bleeding and bruising. The most common treatment for hemophilia B involves replacing the missing clotting factor (a treatment known as replacement therapy).

 

Hemophilia B: An Overview

Hemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. People with hemophilia may bleed for a longer period of time following an injury or accident. They may also bleed internally, especially in the joints such as the knees, ankles, and elbows.
 
A person with hemophilia has a problem with certain proteins in the blood, called clotting factors. Clotting factors help blood clot. Hemophilia can be due to a low level of one of the clotting factors or a clotting factor that is completely missing.
 
When clotting factors are missing, or the body does not have enough clotting factors, it can take a long time for blood to clot after an injury or accident.
 
Approximately 18,000 people in the United States have hemophilia, and about 400 babies are born each year with this disorder in the U.S. Hemophilia usually occurs only in males; however, there are very rare exceptions in which hemophilia will occur in a female.
 
There are two main types of hemophilia:
 
  • Hemophilia A (the most common type of hemophilia)
  • Hemophilia B.
 
Hemophilia B is also known as Christmas disease. Approximately 1 out of 10 people with hemophilia have type B.
 
(Hemophilia B Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD