Hemophilia B, also known as Christmas disease, is an inherited, X-linked, recessive disorder, caused by a mutation in the gene encoding for coagulation factor IX.
Presentation
The acuity and age of presentation of symptoms is dependent on the extent of the factor IX deficiency, as described above. Clotting factor deficiencies result in hematomas and hemarthroses. Hemarthroses is a hallmark presentation of hemophilia B [3]. It occurs when bleeding begins in the synovial vessels and hemorrhage occurs within the joint cavity. The bleeding results in distension of the synovial space and causes muscle spasms, pain and arthropathy. In infants, the disorder presents as irritability and decreased use of the affected limb. In older children and adults, hemarthrosis presents as stiffness and in some patients as a warm sensation followed by acute pain and swelling [4].
In neonates and infants, symptoms may include bleeding and hematoma following delivery, after procedures (such as circumcision) or spontaneously (such as an intracranial hemorrhage) [5]. As children begin to walk, bleeding episodes involve the joints and muscles. The onset of bleeding may be spontaneously or after minimal injury. Other common symptoms include excessive bruising, oral bleeding, epistaxis, hematuria, rectal bleeding, weakness, abdominal pain and tenderness, dyspnea and headache [6].
Entire Body System
- Pain
Women reported greater pain severity than men on the Brief Pain Inventory v2 Short Form (median, 7.00 vs 5.00). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Signs of hemorrhage include the following: General - Weakness and orthostasis Musculoskeletal (joints) - Tingling, cracking, warmth, pain, stiffness, and refusal to use joint (children) CNS - Headache, stiff neck, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, and [emedicine.medscape.com]
“My parents used cold pressure and ice packs to minimize the trauma,” he said, referring to the swelling and pain from bleeding that could last for several days. [health.ucsd.edu]
Haemophilia treatment centres need to take the lead in assessing pain in haemophilia patients, guiding treatment promoting non-opioid options, strengthen efforts to monitor opioid exposure and collect data on pain treatment in the haemophilia population [unboundmedicine.com]
- Weakness
Others suggest that FVIIa binds platelets where it activates FX directly; the high concentration required would result from FVIIa's weak affinity for phospholipids. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
There are many reasons of Hepatitis for example, alcoholic use, use of drugs, poisonous mixtures and use of steroids, unbalanced diet, weak immune system, sexual and emotional imbalance, hemophilia cause infection of liver. [alhakeemshifakhana.com]
And one-time player Dimension Therapeutics was forced out of hemophilia B by weak results, with Ultragenyx picking up the rest of the pipeline in a buyout. The race goes on. [endpts.com]
The pain may be relieved after a short interval or may persist from several hours to several days, when weakness, dyspnea, and shock may ensue. Abdominal pain and rigidity, rather than chest pain, may be present and confuse the issue. [pubs.rsna.org]
Signs and symptoms include: Painful, prolonged headache Repeated vomiting Sleepiness or lethargy Double vision Sudden weakness or clumsiness Convulsions or seizures When to see a doctor Seek emergency care if you or your child experiences: Signs or symptoms [mayoclinic.org]
- Anemia
We present the case of a 13-year-old boy who presented with a grade 4 splenic laceration, acute blood loss anemia, and hypotension that was managed nonoperatively. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] due to disease D64.2 Secondary sideroblastic anemia due to drugs and toxins D64.3 Other sideroblastic anemias D64.4 Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia D64.8 Other specified anemias D64.81 Anemia due to antineoplastic chemotherapy D64.89 Other specified [icd10data.com]
CONTINUE SCROLLING OR CLICK HERE FOR RELATED SLIDESHOW SLIDESHOW Anemia Symptoms and Signs, Types, Treatment and Causes See Slideshow [medicinenet.com]
Acquired factor VIII inhibitor: a rare etiology for bruisability and anemia. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2013;29(3):178-80. Kamal A, Tefleri A, Pruthi, R. [revistacancercol.org]
Hematological
- Prolonged Bleeding
[…] hematoma 0012233 Joint hemorrhage Bleeding within a joint Hemarthrosis [ more ] 0005261 Menometrorrhagia 0400008 Poor wound healing 0001058 Prolonged bleeding after dental extraction 0006298 Prolonged bleeding after surgery Excessive bleeding during [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]
Hemophilia B is an X-linked bleeding disorder. We report on female twins, who were conspicious in prolonged bleeding after venipuncture as well as hematomas after intramuscular injections even in the first months of their life. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
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 [nlm.nih.gov]
- Spontaneous Hemorrhage
If the biological activity of factor IX is below 1%, the hemophilia is severe and manifests as frequent spontaneous hemorrhage and abnormal bleeding as a result of minor injuries, or following surgery or tooth extraction (severe hemophilia B; see this [orpha.net]
- Easy Bruising
Specialty Haematology Symptoms Easy bruising[1] Causes Factor IX deficiency[1] Diagnostic method Bleeding scores, Coagulation factor assays[2] Treatment Factor IX concentrate[1] Haemophilia B is a blood clotting disorder causing easy bruising and bleeding [en.wikipedia.org]
Respiratoric
- Dyspnea
In September 1986, he had severe dyspnea due to interstitial pneumonia and he was treated with high-dose methylprednisolone. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Advise patients who self-administer to immediately report symptoms of hypersensitivity, including angioedema, chest tightness, hypotension, generalized urticaria, wheezing, and dyspnea. [idelvion.com]
Both occur in young adults, are sudden in onset, and are manifested by pain in the chest and dyspnea. Neither is preceded by any notable chest trauma. [pubs.rsna.org]
Early signs of allergic reactions, which can progress to anaphylaxis, include angioedema, chest-tightness, dyspnea, hypotension, wheezing, urticaria, and pruritus. [baxter.com]
[…] lethargy, irritability, and spinal cord syndromes GI - Hematemesis, melena, frank red blood per rectum, and abdominal pain Genitourinary - Hematuria, renal colic, and postcircumcision bleeding Other - Epistaxis, oral mucosal hemorrhage, hemoptysis, dyspnea [emedicine.medscape.com]
- Tachypnea
Physical Examination Systemic signs of hemorrhage include the following: Tachycardia Tachypnea Hypotension Orthostasis Organ system–specific signs of hemorrhage include the following: Musculoskeletal (joints) - Tenderness, pain with movement, decreased [emedicine.medscape.com]
These are Tachycardia Tachypnea Hypotension Organ system–specific signs of hemorrhage should be looked for. For example tenderness in joints or confusio Patients should be thoroughly examined for bone and joint examination, jaundice, deformties. [medcaretips.com]
Diagnosis Examination in patients with hemophilia B may reveal the following signs of hemorrhage: Systemic: Tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, and/or orthostasis Musculoskeletal: Joint tenderness, pain with movement, decreased range of motion, swelling [emedicine.com]
- Hemoptysis
[…] neck, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, and spinal cord syndromes GI - Hematemesis, melena, frank red blood per rectum, and abdominal pain Genitourinary - Hematuria, renal colic, and postcircumcision bleeding Other - Epistaxis, oral mucosal hemorrhage, hemoptysis [emedicine.medscape.com]
There was an associated dry cough but no hemoptysis. There was no history of trauma, injury, difficulty in breathing, or palpitations. He was tall and thin and described himself as otherwise quite healthy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Gastrointestinal
- Vomiting
A 44-year-old male with severe hemophilia B was referred to our department because of nausea, vomiting, left lower limb hemiplegia, and left arm paresis. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a right frontal intraparenchymal bleed. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Signs of bleeding in the brain may include changes in behavior, excessive sleepiness, persistent headaches and neck pain, double vision, vomiting, and convulsions or seizures. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. [my.clevelandclinic.org]
[…] hepatitis appear quickly: For example, no hunger, constipation or loose motions, inclination, to liquids, having light fever, appearance of itching pimples on body, dark yellow color of urine, weakness and tiredness, weight loss, swelling of joints, pain, vomiting [alhakeemshifakhana.com]
- Abdominal Pain
The pain may be relieved after a short interval or may persist from several hours to several days, when weakness, dyspnea, and shock may ensue. Abdominal pain and rigidity, rather than chest pain, may be present and confuse the issue. [pubs.rsna.org]
Right-sided hemothorax and recurrent abdominal pain in a 34-year-old woman. Chest, 103 (1993), pp. 1239-1240 [8.] M.S. Herridge, A.L. Hoyos, C. Chafarro, T.L. Winton, S. Kesten, J.R. Maurer. Pleural complications in lung transplant recipients. [journalpulmonology.org]
Consider transfer when All children with Suspected intracranial haemorrhage Bleeding into neck/throat Forearm/calf bleed at risk of compartment syndrome Bleeding into hip or inguinal area (due to risk of iliopsoas haemorrhage) Undiagnosed abdominal pain [rch.org.au]
[…] spinal cord syndromes GI - Hematemesis, melena, frank red blood per rectum, and abdominal pain Genitourinary - Hematuria, renal colic, and postcircumcision bleeding Other - Epistaxis, oral mucosal hemorrhage, hemoptysis, dyspnea (hematoma leading to [emedicine.medscape.com]
Other common symptoms include excessive bruising, oral bleeding, epistaxis, hematuria, rectal bleeding, weakness, abdominal pain and tenderness, dyspnea and headache. [symptoma.com]
- Melena
A full-term male, healthy newborn infant suddenly developed melena and rectal fresh blood oozing at age of 4 days. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
General - Weakness and orthostasis Musculoskeletal (joints) - Tingling, cracking, warmth, pain, stiffness, and refusal to use joint (children) CNS - Headache, stiff neck, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, and spinal cord syndromes GI - Hematemesis, melena [emedicine.medscape.com]
Bleeding within the kidneys or stomach and intestines may cause blood in the urine, called hematuria, and stool, called melena or hematochezia, respectively. [rarediseases.org]
- Hematemesis
[…] the following: General - Weakness and orthostasis Musculoskeletal (joints) - Tingling, cracking, warmth, pain, stiffness, and refusal to use joint (children) CNS - Headache, stiff neck, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, and spinal cord syndromes GI - Hematemesis [emedicine.medscape.com]
- Rectal Bleeding
Other common symptoms include excessive bruising, oral bleeding, epistaxis, hematuria, rectal bleeding, weakness, abdominal pain and tenderness, dyspnea and headache. [symptoma.com]
Cardiovascular
- Tachycardia
Physical Examination Systemic signs of hemorrhage include the following: Tachycardia Tachypnea Hypotension Orthostasis Organ system–specific signs of hemorrhage include the following: Musculoskeletal (joints) - Tenderness, pain with movement, decreased [emedicine.medscape.com]
Symptoms include: sudden chest pain that gets worse after coughing or taking a deep breath difficult or labored breathing (dyspnea) shortness of breath chest tightness tachycardia (rapid heart rate) pale or blue skin caused by lack of oxygen The pain [healthline.com]
Jaw & Teeth
- Oral Bleeding
Oral bleeding can be aided by an antifibrinolytic agent e-aminocaproic acid to neutralize the fibrinolytic activity in the oral cavity. All head injuries must be managed with close observation and investigated by imaging such as CT scanning or MRI. [medcaretips.com]
After the immediate neonatal period, bleeding is uncommon in infants until they become toddlers, when trauma-related soft-tissue hemorrhage occurs. Young children may also have oral bleeding when their teeth are erupting. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Other common symptoms include excessive bruising, oral bleeding, epistaxis, hematuria, rectal bleeding, weakness, abdominal pain and tenderness, dyspnea and headache. [symptoma.com]
[…] into joints (hemarthrosis).[1] Complications[edit] Patients with bleeding disorders show a higher incidence of periodontal disease as well as dental caries, concerning the fear of bleeding which leads to a lack of oral hygiene and oral health care. [en.wikipedia.org]
Skin
- Purpura
[…] causes are rupture of a thoracic aneurysm and infarction of the lung with aseptic softening, perforation and hemorrhage into the pleural cavity (1), and diseases which are associated with hemorrhagic tendencies, such as hemophilia, thrombocytopenic purpura [pubs.rsna.org]
ICD-10-CM Codes › D50-D89 Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism › D65-D69 Coagulation defects, purpura and other hemorrhagic conditions › D67- Hereditary factor IX deficiency › Hereditary factor [icd10data.com]
カテゴリ 血液疾患 階層分類 ヒト疾患 [BR: jp08402 ] 循環器系疾患 血液疾患 H00219 血友病 ICD-11 による疾患分類 [BR: jp08403 ] 03 Diseases of the blood or blood-forming organs Coagulation defects, purpura or other haemorrhagic or related conditions Coagulation defects Congenital or constitutional [genome.jp]
ET) Results related to products in earlier stages of its pipeline, including BAX 930, a recombinant ADAMTS13 compound in early stage development for hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) (OR151; Tuesday, June 23 8:00 - 8:15 a.m.) [baxter.com]
- Delayed Wound Healing
Moderate or mild deficiency is associated with prolonged bleeding after tooth extractions, surgery, or injuries and recurrent or delayed wound healing. Incidence: 1 in 25,000 males worldwide. [ltd.aruplab.com]
Musculoskeletal
- Arthritis
Spontaneous bleeding into joints, giving rise to severe chronic arthritis, is a common problem among persons with severe hemophilia; in addition, there is bleeding into the brain and the abdominal cavity, as well as marked… Read More [britannica.com]
Septic arthritis occurs infrequently in the hemophilic population despite their chronic joint disease; indications for diagnostic arthrocentesis in these individuals are discussed. The group B streptococcus often behaves as an opportunist in adults. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] rarely occur in non-traumatic situations including: as a complication of cavitary pulmonary metastases 5 as a complication of non-cavitary pulmonary metastases 2 spontaneous: spontaneous hemopneumothorax 1 as a rare pulmonary manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis [radiopaedia.org]
- Joint Deformity
Insufficient or incorrect treatment of recurrent hemarthroses and hematomas leads to motor impairment with severe disability associated with stiffness, joint deformation and paralysis. [orpha.net]
- Contusion
[…] red blood per rectum, and abdominal pain Genitourinary - Hematuria, renal colic, and postcircumcision bleeding Other - Epistaxis, oral mucosal hemorrhage, hemoptysis, dyspnea (hematoma leading to airway obstruction), compartment syndrome symptoms, and contusions [emedicine.medscape.com]
30596069 2018 20 Gunshot Injury of Head and Neck Region with an Atypical Bullet Trajectory: The Importance of Whole Body Computed Tomography Scan. 38 Velioglu Y...Durgun B 30173703 2018 21 Heparin-free veno-venous ECMO applied to a patient with severe lung contusion [malacards.org]
Because of worsening ICH noted in the setting of worsening neurologic status and pulmonary contusions, she was given a total of 9 doses of rFIX concentrate (30‐50 IU/kg per dose) over 7 days with stabilization and resolution of bleeding. [onlinelibrary.wiley.com]
Other possible features include epistaxis, haemorrhage into the oral mucosa, haemoptysis, dyspnoea from a haematoma obstructing the airway, compartment syndromes and contusions. [patient.info]
- Muscle Spasm
The bleeding results in distension of the synovial space and causes muscle spasms, pain and arthropathy. In infants, the disorder presents as irritability and decreased use of the affected limb. [symptoma.com]
A muscle spasm may occur when the muscle tightens up to protect itself, called Volkman’s sign. Development of a compartment syndrome represents a serious bleed and the hemophilia treatment center should be contacted immediately. [rarebleedingdisorders.com]
- Arthralgia
[…] approval for emicizumab was assessed from both the HAVEN 1 (adult and adolescent) and HAVEN 2 (pediatric) clinical trials.11,12 The most common adverse drug reactions from the administration of emicizumab are injection site reactions, headache, and arthralgia [pharmacytimes.com]
The most common adverse reactions observed in clinical trials (frequency ≥10% of subjects) were pyrexia, headache, cough, nasopharyngitis, vomiting, arthralgia, and limb injury. [baxter.com]
Face, Head & Neck
- Epistaxis
[…] delayed onset bleeding (joints, muscular and soft tissue, mucosa) in response to different degrees of trauma (see the table below) Repeated hemarthrosis (e.g., knee joint) → joint destruction Recurrent bruising or hematoma formation Oral mucosa bleeding, epistaxis [amboss.com]
Rarely affects females (see etiology) Female carriers are unaffected Sites Bleeding into muscle, soft tissue or joints (hemarthrosis), GI / GU tract bleeding, easy bruising, excessive bleeding after surgery, trauma, dental procedures or circumcision; epistaxis [pathologyoutlines.com]
(children) CNS - Headache, stiff neck, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, and spinal cord syndromes GI - Hematemesis, melena, frank red blood per rectum, and abdominal pain Genitourinary - Hematuria, renal colic, and postcircumcision bleeding Other - Epistaxis [emedicine.medscape.com]
Other common symptoms include excessive bruising, oral bleeding, epistaxis, hematuria, rectal bleeding, weakness, abdominal pain and tenderness, dyspnea and headache. [symptoma.com]
- Spontaneous Recurrent Epistaxis
recurrent epistaxis Recurring nosebleed Spontaneous, recurrent nosebleed [ more ] 0004406 Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO Abnormal bleeding Bleeding tendency 0001892 Gastrointestinal hemorrhage Gastrointestinal [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]
Urogenital
- Hematuria
Prevalence of macroscopic hematuria was higher among individuals with severe hemophilia and those regularly using NSAIDs. [unboundmedicine.com]
Caution is necessary if hematuria B requires administration of rFVIIa. US color doppler renal imaging before and after drug administration should be sufficient as an early warning. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Spontaneous hematuria is a fairly frequent and highly characteristic sign of the disorder. Etiology Hemophilia B is caused by mutations in the F9 gene (Xq27) encoding coagulation factor IX. [orpha.net]
In the genitourinary tract, gross hematuria may occur in as many as 90% of patients. In the GI tract, bleeding may complicate common GI disorders. Bleeding in the CNS is the leading cause of hemorrhagic death among patients with hemophilia. [emedicine.medscape.com]
- Bladder Spasm
spasm/distension/pain, costovertebral angle pain Other - Hematoma leading to location-specific signs (eg, airway obstruction, compartment syndrome) Signs of infectious disease include the following: HIV/AIDS-related signs Hepatitis-related signs Direct [emedicine.medscape.com]
spasm/distention/pain, costovertebral angle pain Other: Hematoma leading to location-specific signs (eg, airway obstruction, compartment syndrome) Laboratory tests Laboratory studies for suspected hemophilia B include the following: Complete blood cell [emedicine.com]
Neurologic
- Headache
In clinical trials for IDELVION, headache was the only side effect occurring in more than 1% of patients (1.8%), but is not the only side effect possible. [cslbehring.com]
The most common adverse reaction (incidence ≥1%) reported in clinical trials was headache. Please see full prescribing information for IDELVION. [idelvion.com]
The most common adverse drug reaction observed in >2% of patients in clinical trials was headache. [hemophiliafed.org]
The most common adverse events were headache (12.1%) and common cold (11.2%), and the majority of adverse events were considered by the investigator to be unrelated to Alprolix treatment. [raredr.com]
The most common side effect observed for Idelvion was headache. Idelvion is manufactured by CSL Behring, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. The FDA, an agency within the U.S. [fda.gov]
- Intracranial Hemorrhage
Even if bleeding occurs, it rarely becomes life-threatening, such as in intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). We here report a case of a 4-day-old boy who had intracranial hemorrhage as the first complication of hemophilia B. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Life expectancy in those without HIV is ~62 years 2. ~15 times increased risk death from intracranial hemorrhage (~1/3 of all deaths) ~50 times increased risk death from non-intracranial hemorrhage polyarticular disease Promoted articles (advertising) [radiopaedia.org]
- Altered Mental Status
mental status, and meningismus GI - Can be painless; hepatic/splenic tenderness and peritoneal signs GU - Bladder spasm/distension/pain, costovertebral angle pain Other - Hematoma leading to location-specific signs (eg, airway obstruction, compartment [emedicine.medscape.com]
mental status, meningismus Gastrointestinal: Can be painless or present with hepatic/splenic tenderness and peritoneal signs Genitourinary: Bladder spasm/distention/pain, costovertebral angle pain Other: Hematoma leading to location-specific signs (eg [emedicine.com]
- Seizure
Signs of bleeding in the brain may include changes in behavior, excessive sleepiness, persistent headaches and neck pain, double vision, vomiting, and convulsions or seizures. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. [my.clevelandclinic.org]
Signs and symptoms include: Painful, prolonged headache Repeated vomiting Sleepiness or lethargy Double vision Sudden weakness or clumsiness Convulsions or seizures When to see a doctor Seek emergency care if you or your child experiences: Signs or symptoms [mayoclinic.org]
Hemophilia can result in: Bleeding within joints that can lead to chronic joint disease and pain Bleeding in the head and sometimes in the brain which can cause long term problems, such as seizures and paralysis Death can occur if the bleeding cannot [cdc.gov]
Bleeding in the brain can cause a headache, vomiting, sleepiness, or seizures. What Causes Hemophilia? Clotting factors control bleeding by helping the body form a clot. Our bodies have 13 clotting factors that work together to clot blood. [kidshealth.org]
- Lethargy
Signs and symptoms include: Painful, prolonged headache Repeated vomiting Sleepiness or lethargy Double vision Sudden weakness or clumsiness Convulsions or seizures When to see a doctor Seek emergency care if you or your child experiences: Signs or symptoms [mayoclinic.org]
Other adverse reactions reported included asthenia (weakness), apathy (lack of feeling, emotion, interest, or concern), depression, dysgeusia (taste alteration), hemophilia, influenza (flu), injection site discomfort, lethargy (lack of energy) and skin [hemophiliafed.org]
Signs of hemorrhage include the following: General - Weakness and orthostasis Musculoskeletal (joints) - Tingling, cracking, warmth, pain, stiffness, and refusal to use joint (children) CNS - Headache, stiff neck, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, and [emedicine.medscape.com]
Intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding into the brain or skull) can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and/or lethargy, and can lead to death. Increased bleeding after surgery or trauma is characteristic of hemophilia. [medicinenet.com]
There may be headache, stiff neck, vomiting, lethargy, irritability and spinal cord syndromes. There can be intracranial bleeding. Bleeding from the gut may produce haematemesis, melaena, frank red blood per rectum and abdominal pain. [patient.info]
Workup
Diagnosis for hemophilia B is made through a family history, laboratory screening tests and specific assays. Approximately 70% of people with hemophilia B have a family history of the disease. However approximately one-third of patients do not have a family history of hemophilia B. In these patients, the disease may be a result of a spontaneous mutation [7].
Screening tests such as coagulation tests (prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and a platelet count) can be used to help determine the etiology of the person’s symptoms. Persons with hemophilia A and B have a normal platelet count and normal PT, but have a prolonged aPTT. For those persons with a prolonged aPTT, assays for the various clotting factors (factors VIII, IX and XI) should be performed to identify the type of hemophilia. An abnormal assay for factor IX is diagnostic for hemophilia B.
Serum
- Prothrombin Time Normal
time: normal Platelet count: normal Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): usually prolonged If aPTT prolonged → mixing study If mixing study is positive (or if patient/family history are strongly positive) → quantitative assessment of factor [amboss.com]
The following article links will help you understand prothrombin time & international normalized ratio (PT/INR) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) tests. http://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-laboratory/prothrombin-time-international-normalized-ratio-test [dovemed.com]
[…] or low hemoglobin/hematocrit levels; normal platelet count Coagulation studies: Do not delay coagulation correction pending test results; normal bleeding and prothrombin times; normal or prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time Factor IX (FIX) [emedicine.medscape.com]
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to prevent bleeding and hemorrhage prophylactically, especially in patients with moderate to severe disease. Also to recognize and control bleeding when it occurs. Medications used in the treatment of hemophilia B include:
- Laboratory made factor IX (Recombinant factor IX) is often used for prophylactic treatment. Studies have shown that when recombinant coagulation factor IX is started during the early years of life on a routine basis as a prophylaxis treatment, there is a reduced the risk of hemorrhage and arthropathy [8]. The Medical and Scientific Advisory Council of the National Hemophilia Foundation supports prophylaxis therapy for children with severe hemophilia B [9] [10].
- Antifibrinolytics (epsilon aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid)
- Antihemophilic agents (desmopressin acetate (a non-blood product), human antihemophilic factor)
Prognosis
Uncontrolled hemorrhage may lead to significant morbidity and/or death. Late complications of the disorder may include:
- Joint destruction due to hemarthroses, resulting in several orthopedic abnormalities
- Transmission of blood-borne infections (if factor IX is given through plasma transfusion)
- Development of inhibitor antibodies
Etiology
In hemophilia B the protein (factor IX) needed to form blood clots is absent or reduced.
Epidemiology
Hemophilia B affects 20% of all persons with hemophilia; it is the second most common type of hemophilia [1]. Its overall incidence is approximately 1 in 25,000 male births. The disorder is more symptomatic in males over females since it is an X-linked disorder. Females have two X-chromosomes. Therefore a recessive X-linked disorder will usually be “silenced” by the normal factor IX gene on the other X chromosome, thus preventing the expression of the disease. The woman is referred to as a “carrier”. Males have only one X chromosome, therefore any genetic mutations on the X chromosome, whether recessive or dominant, will be expressed. Its incidence is similar in all races and geographic areas.
Pathophysiology
When a blood vessel is injured, a series of biochemical reactions initiate the coagulation cascade. Various reactions involving protein factors such as factor IX, bind and activate other factors to form a clot on the injured blood vessel [2]. A majority of patients are diagnosed with hemophilia B prior to any bleeding event based on family history. Hemophilia B is an X-linked recessive disorder in which there is factor IX deficiency.
Levels of factor IX range from 70 to 120% of the normal values. There are different levels of hemophilia B depending on the degree of factor IX deficiency in the person’s blood. Persons with:
- Mild disease have at least or more than 5% factor level IX in their blood. Persons with mild disease may be essentially asymptomatic.
- Moderate disease have 1 to 5 % of the normal clotting factor IX. These patients tend to bleed after injuries and some bleed spontaneously. Symptoms generally onset in the mid-teens through middle age in patients with moderate disease.
- Severe hemophilia cases have less than 1% of the normal clotting factor IX in their blood. These patients have significant bleeding after injuries, frequent spontaneous bleeding episodes, and hemarthroses. Symptoms may appear as early during infancy in persons with severe factor IX deficiency.
Prevention
There are no guidelines for prevention of hemophilia B.
Summary
Hemophilias are a group of inherited bleeding disorders characterized by deficiency of functional plasma coagulation factors. The different types of hemophilia include type A and type B. In this section we focus on the second most common type of hemophilia, hemophilia B, also called factor IX deficiency or Christmas disease. It was named “Christmas disease” after Stephen Christmas, who was the first patient diagnosed with the disorder in 1952. Hemophilia B is a disorder in which the protein (factor IX) needed to form blood clots is absent or reduced. It is an X-linked, recessive genetic disorder that is characterized by the deficiency of functional plasma protein coagulation factor IX, which results in prolonged bleeding and/or hemorrhage.
Patient Information
What is hemophilia B?
Hemophilia is a rare genetic blood clotting disorder that mainly affects men. People who have hemophilia do not have enough of, or are missing, one of the proteins required for clotting of blood called factor IX. There are different types of hemophilia: A, B and Von Willebrand disease. Hemophilia B is the second most common type of hemophilia. It is also known as Factor IX deficiency or “Christmas disease”. It was named “Christmas disease” after Stephen Christmas, who was the first patient diagnosed in 1952.
When a blood vessel is injured, the body starts a process that activates a series of proteins to form a clot to stop bleeding. A person with hemophilia B lacks one of the proteins required for this process, called factor IX. Therefore, a person with hemophilia B will bleed for a long time when they are injured or cut. Sometimes bleeding occurs spontaneously (without any apparent reason).
The severity of the disease depends on the amount of factor IX that is produced in the body. Hemophilia B is rated as:
- Mild: A person’s body makes at least or more than 5% of the factor level IX. The persons have milder disease or may not have any symptoms at all until later in life.
- Moderate: A person has 1 to 5% of the normal clotting factor IX. These persons bleed for a long time after injuries and also may develop spontaneous bleeding. Symptoms may begin during the teenage years through middle age.
- Severe: A person with less than 1% of the normal clotting factor IX in their blood is considered to have severe hemaphilia. These persons have significant bleeding after injuries, frequent spontaneous bleeding episodes, and hemarthroses (bleeding into their joints). Symptoms may appear as early during infancy.
What causes hemophilia B?
In most people, hemophilia B is inherited. It is caused by a recessive defect on a gene that is on the sex chromosome “X”. Women have two X chromosomes, therefore if a woman has one defective gene on one X chromosome, but a normal gene for factor IX on her other X chromosome, she will usually not show any symptoms. She is a carrier and may pass the gene onto her children. Men have only one X chromosome. Therefore a defective gene on their X chromosome will result in their having symptoms of the disorder. Therefore, hemophilia B symptoms are more common in men than women. In some people, a “spontaneous mutation” occurs in their gene that causes them to develop hemophilia B.
What are the symptoms of hemophilia B?
Symptoms are usually prolonged bleeding and hematoma (a large bruise). In babies this may happen after or during delivery or after procedures (such as circumcision). Sometimes the bleeding occurs without any apparent reason (such as bleeding in the brain). As children begin to walk, bleeding may occur in joints and muscles. Other symptoms include excessive bruising or blood in the urine.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis for hemophilia B is made through a family history screening, laboratory blood tests and specific assays. Your doctor will ask you about your family’s medical history. In particular if any member of your family has a bleeding disorder. Approximately 70% of people with hemophilia B have a relative with a bleeding disorder. However approximately one-third of patients do not have a family history of hemophilia B. In these patients, the disease may be a result of a spontaneous mutation.
If your doctor suspects a bleeding disorder, he/she will order laboratory tests to determine if a bleeding disorder is present and the type of disorder. Laboratory blood tests, called a coagulation panel, include prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and a platelet count. Persons with hemophilia A and B have a normal platelet count and normal PT, but have a prolonged aPTT. For those persons with a prolonged aPTT, assays to determine the levels of the various clotting factors (Factors VIII, IX and XI) will be performed to identify the type of hemophilia. This is also a blood test. An abnormal assay for Factor IX is diagnostic for hemophilia B.
What is the treatment?
Currently there is no cure for hemophilia. However there are laboratory made factor IX replacements that can be given as prophylaxis. This means that the medication can help prevent symptoms such as bleeding and hemorrhaging. One commonly used medication is called “recombinant factor IX”. This medication is given intravenously (by IV). It is made in the laboratory and mimics the factor IX that a healthy person’s body makes. It is often given on a routine basis as a prophylactic (preventative) treatment. There are additional medications available and your doctor can discuss those options with you.
References
- Soucie JM. Public Health surveillance and data collection: general principles and impact on hemophilia care. Hematology. 2012 Apr;17 Suppl 1:S144-6.
- Konkle BA, Josephson NC, Nakaya Fletcher SM, Thompson AR. Hemophilia B. 2000 Oct 02 [updated 2011 Sep 22]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Bird TD, Dolan CR, Fong CT, Smith RJH, Stephens K, editors. GeneReviews® : University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2014. PMID: 20301668.
- Escobar M, Sallah S. Hemophilia A and hemophilia B: focus on arthropathy and variables affecting bleeding severity and prophylaxis. J Thromb Haemost. 2013 Aug;11(8):1449-53.
- Pollman H, Richter H, Ringkamp H, Jurgens H. When are children diagnosed as having severe haemophilia and when do they start to bleed? A 10-year single-center PUP study. Eur J Pediatr 1999; 158 Suppl 3:S166.
- Klinge J, Auberger K, Auerswald G, et al. Prevalence and outcome of intracranial haemorrhage in haemophiliacs – a survey of the paediatric group of the German Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (GTH). Eur J Pediatr 1999; 158 Suppl 3: S162.
- Ljung R, Petrini P, Nilsson IM. Diagnostic symptoms of severe and moderate haemophilia A and B. A survey of 140 cases. Acta Paediatr Scand 1990; 79:196.
- Thompson AR, Bajaj SP, Chen SH, macGillivray RT. “Founder” effect in different families with haemophilia B mutation. Lancet 1990; 335:418.
- Lofqvist T, Nilsson IM, Berntorp E, Pettersson H. Haemophilia prophylaxis in young patients – a long-term follow-up. J Intern Med 1997; 241:395.
- Aledort LM, Haschmeyer RH, Pettersson H. A longitudinal study of orthopaedic outcomes for severe factor-VIII-deficieint haemophiliacs. The Orthopaedic Outcome Study Group. J Intern Med 1994; 236:391.
- Windyga J, Lissitchkov T, Stasyshyn O, Mamonov V, Ghandehari H, Chapman M, Fritsch S, Wong WY, Pavlova BG, Abbuehl BE. Efficacy and safety of a recombinant factor IX (Bax326) in previously treated patients with severe or moderately severe haemophilia B undergoing surgical or other invasive procedures: a prospective, open-label, uncontrolled, nulticentre, phase III study. Haemophilia. 2014 Apr 3.