Hemophilia is a rare, inherited blood disorder in which the blood doesn’t clot normally. People with hemophilia do not have enough of certain proteins that help their blood clot, so they may bruise or bleed easily. The disease is divided into two types, based on which proteins are too low:
- Hemophilia A (Factor 8 deficiency): Type A hemophilia occurs in children who do not have enough of the protein called Factor VIII (Factor 8).
- Hemophilia B (Factor 9 deficiency): Type B hemophilia occurs in children who do not have enough of the protein called Factor IX (Factor 9).
Children and teens with hemophilia are treated at Seattle Children’s, a founding organization of Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Seattle Children’s has a long history of successfully caring for children and teens with this and other blood disorders.
Expert Care for Your Child
Hemophilia is not very common in children and teens, so community doctors usually have limited knowledge of the disease. This is why in the United States almost all children with hemophilia receive treatment at centers, like Seattle Children’s, that have special experience in children’s blood disorders.
Seattle Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center brings together experts from more than 20 subspecialties to provide diagnostic services and treatments, including the very latest options. Our team of pediatric hematologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, Child Life specialists, social workers, and chaplains partner with you to provide expert, family-centered care and compassionate support. We help you understand your child’s health and treatment options because you, your child, and your family are an important part of the care team.
We work closely with Puget Sound Blood Center, a partnership that gives you and your child access 24 hours a day to nurses who are experts in caring for children with bleeding disorders.
Because Seattle Children’s doctors take part in national and international research studies, and often lead them, we can offer new treatment options that many other hospitals cannot give their patients.
Learn More
Read more on the Seattle Children’s website about:
- Hemophilia—including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
- Hematology at Seattle Children’s
- What to expect when you come to Seattle Children’s for care
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment, call Seattle Children’s at (206) 987-2106.