Experts Call For Protection Of Victims Of Haemophilia

 

By Oladipupo Mojeed 

Medical practitioners have called on Nigerians to stop stigmatising women and girls having haemophilia (bleeding disorder).

Dr Adeolu Anifowoshe, a medical laboratory scientist at the Alpha and Omega Laboratory Centre, Ibadan made this call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

He said many women who suffer this disease are usually unaware of their condition and the accompanying odour usually leads to their being stigmatised.

According to him,  haemophilia is a rare disorder in which the blood does not clot normally due to a lack of sufficient blood clotting proteins (clotting factors).

“A patient with haemophilia may bleed for a longer time after an injury than he/she would if the blood clotted normally. This internal bleeding can damage organs and tissues and may be life-threatening.

“A great concern is a deep bleeding inside the body, especially in the knees, ankles and elbows,” he said.

The scientist. who pointed out that haemophilia was a genetic disorder which has no known cure yet, added that with proper treatment and self-care, most people with haemophilia could have active productive lifestyles.

Causes of haemophilia

He explained that haemophilia is caused when there is deficiency in one of the clotting factors in the body.

“When you bleed, your body normally pools blood cells together to form a clot to stop the bleeding. The clotting process is encouraged by certain blood particles (platelets and plasma proteins).

“Haemophilia occurs when there is a deficiency in one of these clotting factors,” he said.

The laboratory scientist said some symptoms of haemophilia include excessive bleeding from cuts or injuries or after surgery or dental work, prolonged menses in women, many large and deep bruises.

Advice to patients

Also speaking on the matter, Prof. Adenihun Adenikawo, a retired professor of haematologist from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, advised patients to seek immediate medical attention if a prolonged bleeding is noticed.

“In boys who are not circumcised, easy bruising when the child becomes more mobile may lead to the diagnosis and the first episode of bleeding generally occurs by the time a child is two years old.

“If your child bruises easily, see a doctor. If your child has heavy bleeding that can’t be stopped after an injury, seek medical care.

“If you are pregnant or considering pregnancy, and have a family history of haemophilia, talk to your doctor.

“You may be referred to a specialist in medical genetics or bleeding disorders, who can help you determine if you are a carrier of haemophilia.

“If you a carrier, it is possible to determine during pregnancy if the foetus is affected by haemophilia,” she said.

Adenikawo who disclosed that the incidence of haemophilia is low in Nigeria said that one in every 10,000 have it or were born with it.