There are about 220 hemophiliacs in the city and 2,600 in the state, though unidentified cases may be about 15,000, according to figures cited by the Haemophilia Society, on the occasion of World Hemophilia Day on April 17. Haemophilia is a rare and hereditary genetic disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly. Although it is a hereditary disease, about 30 per cent of diagnosed cases don’t have a family history of haemophilia.
Dr Ravi Kumar, leading city haematologist and oncologist, said that hemophilia can also be caused by mutation of genes, which, in turn, may be due to pollutants or other agents, though this is yet to be confirmed. Scientists and doctors now have in-depth knowledge of the disease, he added, but permanent cures, like gene therapy, which involved removal of the trouble-making gene, were still at varying stages of research. “Alternatively, haemophilia can be detected through a pre-natal test done before the first six weeks of pregnancy,” he added. Early intervention was better than treating it at an advanced stage.
Dr Vijay Mohan, senior consultant physician at Care Hospitals, suggested that people ought to get themselves checked for prolonged bleeding. “Sometimes, people bleed during summer, and if this is prolonged, they should visit a physician. And children suffer quite a few falls while learning to walk and if there are any unusual bruises and prolonged bleeding, it might be hemophilia.” Lack of awareness about the disease is an issue needing to be addressed, city doctors said. Although there is no cure yet, hemophiliacs can lead an active life with proper treatment.