World Hemophilia Day (17 April) History, Significance, Theme and Observation

World Hemophilia Day Quick Facts

World Hemophilia Day Brief

It is Celebrated every year on the 17th of April to spread awareness about Haemophilia and other genetic bleeding disorders. It is an initiative of the 'World Federation of Haemophilia'.

World Hemophilia Day History

The disease 'Haemophilia', called the 'Royal Disease', was first detected when the descendants of Britain's Queen Victoria started falling prey to this disease one after the other. It came to be known as the 'Royal Disease' due to several members of the royal family suffering from hemophilia. Men are most prone to this disease. At present, more than 50 thousand people around the world are suffering from this disease.

To spread awareness about hemophilia around the world, celebrating 'World Haemophilia Day' was started in 1989. Since then, 'World Haemophilia Day' is celebrated every year on April 17, the birthday of Frank Cannable, the founder of the 'World Federation of Haemophilia' (WFH). Frank died of AIDS in 1987 from infected blood.

More info about World Hemophilia Day

What is Haemophilia?

Haemophilia is a genetic condition that causes prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery and or painful swelling in the joints after injury or without injury ("hereditary" means that the disease is passed on through genes. - is passed from father to children). The carriers of hemophilia disease are found in the X chromosome. About 1 in 10,000 men is at risk of developing hemophilia. Women mostly play the role of carriers of the genetic units responsible for the disease.

The types of Hemophilia

1. Haemophilia A :This is the most common type of hemophilia. In this, there is a deficiency of 'Factor 8' necessary for the formation of clots in the blood.

2. Haemophilia B :It is very less common. About 20 percent of people with hemophilia have hemophilia B. In hemophilia B, there is a deficiency of the clotting factor (factor 9).

In Haemophilia 'B' there is a deficiency of 'Factor 9' in the blood. One in five thousand to ten thousand men are at risk of developing hemophilia 'A', while one in 20,000 to 34,000 men are at risk of developing hemophilia 'B'.

Symptoms of Haemophilia:

• The habit of scratching easily.
• Bleeding from the nose, which does not stop easily.
• Excessive bleeding during dental treatment such as tooth extraction and root canal treatment.
• Swelling or unbearable pain in the joints.
• Bleeding through urine.

Treatment of hemophilia disease:

Since this disease is genetic which is innate, its treatment has become possible with the development of genetic engineering. At present, patients are treated by transfusing factor-8 (coagulation factor). Places where coagulation factor is not available. There they do it with fresh frozen plasma (FFP). The white component of the blood is transfused.

Important Days of April Month - (National Days and International Days):