hemophilia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Yes, but it is far rarer. Women are typically carriers and may have mild symptoms, but in very rare cases (e.g., if the father has hemophilia and the mother is a carrier), they can have the full condition.

There is no widespread cure, but it is highly manageable with regular infusions of the missing clotting factor (prophylaxis) or on-demand treatment for bleeds. Gene therapy research aims for functional cures.

Hemophilia A is a deficiency in clotting Factor VIII. Hemophilia B (Christmas disease) is a deficiency in Factor IX. The symptoms are very similar, but they are caused by mutations in different genes and require different factor concentrates for treatment.

The genes responsible are located on the X chromosome. Males (XY) inherit one X from their mother; if that X carries the mutation, they have the condition. Females (XX) inherit two Xs; a mutation on one typically makes them a carrier, as the other X often compensates.

A hereditary medical condition, predominantly affecting males, characterized by a severe impairment of the blood's ability to clot, leading to excessive and prolonged bleeding from even minor injuries.

Hemophilia is usually technical/medical in register.

Hemophilia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhiː.məˈfɪl.i.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhiː.məˈfɪl.i.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.