When a child has hemophilia, it means that his or her blood lacks the ability to clot in case of bleeding. Hemophilia is congenital (passed down in the genes from the child's parents).
The Hemophilia Program provides testing, treatment, and support services for those suffering from hemophilia and related disorders. Some of our services include:
- Factor replacement products
- On-site diagnostic coagulation laboratory providing rapid turnaround for factor assays and other specialized studies, including platelet aggregations
- Patient Registry that facilitates rapid and appropriate emergency treatment
- Qualitative and quantitative assays for diagnosing bleeding and thrombosing disorders
- Risk assessment and risk management in patients with idiopathic and cancer-associated thrombosis
- Management of therapy-resistant thrombosis
- Genetic counseling for bleeding and thrombosing disorders, and testing of susceptible individuals
- Anticoagulant clinic patient management
- Screening for viral exposure associated with clotting factor and for joint morbidity associated with congenital bleeding disorders
The Hemophilia Program is one of three Federally Designated Comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) in Northern New England. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study of 3,000 people with hemophilia showed that those who used a hemophilia treatment center were 40 percent less likely to die of a hemophilia-related complication compared to those who did not receive care at a treatment center. Similarly, people who used a treatment center were 40 percent less likely to be hospitalized for bleeding complications.
Second opinions
Hemophilia-related conditions can be frightening diagnoses, and the recommended choices for treatment may be complex and difficult for a patient to evaluate.
You are entitled to a complete explanation of any diagnosis or proposed therapy. You, and only you, can weigh your options and make a choice among alternatives for treatment. Many times the best course is to find a second opinion, and many patients seem relieved to learn that this is an accepted practice. In most cases, your physician will encourage you to learn as much as you can about your disease. For more information see Second Opinions.