Understanding Hemophilia: A Journey through History and Science
Understanding Hemophilia: A Journey through History and Science Hemophilia, the oldest known hereditary bleeding disorder, has left an indelible mark on history. Its recognition was catapulted onto the world stage by none other than the grandson of Queen Victoria of England and heir to the Russian throne, Alexei, who suffered from a severe case in the early 1900s amidst the tumult of the Russian Revolution. Today, we understand hemophilia as a complex condition characterized by defects in blood coagulation factors, leading to prolonged bleeding and a host of associated symptoms. With two main types, A and B (also known as Christmas Disease), hemophilia presents a spectrum of severity, from mild to moderate to severe, depending on the amount of clotting factors produced. Despite its relatively low prevalence, hemophilia affects hundreds of children each year, with approximately 85% diagnosed with hemophilia A and 15% with hemophilia B. For those with severe hemophilia,