Hæmophilia & Von Willebrand’s Disease & Oral Surgery

Patients with Hæmophilia (Factors VIII & IX Deficiencies) & Von Willebrand’s Disease

Hæmophilia is a group of hereditary genetic disorders that impair the body’s ability to control coagulation (blood clotting).

Hæmophilia A (Clotting Factor VIII deficiency) is the most common form of the disorder (1 in 5,000 – 10,000 male births).

Hæmophilia B (Clotting Factor IX deficiency) is rarer than Hæmophilia A, occuring in around 1 in about 20,000 – 34,000 male births.

Hæmophilia lowers blood plasma clotting factor levels of the coagulation factors needed for normal coagulation. When a blood vessel is injured, a clot does form but the missing coagulation factors prevent fibrin formation, which is necessary to maintain the blood clot.

A hæmophiliac does not bleed more intensely than a person without it but can bleed for a much longer time. In severe cases, even a minor injury can result in bleeding that can last days – weeks or there is incomplete healing. In areas such as the brain or inside joints, this can be fatal or permanently debilitating.