Final answer:
Hemophilia is a genetic disorder characterized by inadequate production of clotting factors, leading to bleeding problems. The most common types are hemophilia A and B, caused by deficiencies in factor VIII and IX, respectively, with treatments ranging from desmopressin for mild cases to factor infusions for severe cases, with genetic therapy as a potential future treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that impairs the body's ability to make blood clots, a process necessary to stop bleeding. There are several types of hemophilia, with the most common being hemophilia A, which involves the inability to produce sufficient amounts of clotting factor VIII, accounting for about 80 percent of cases. Hemophilia B, accounting for approximately 20 percent of cases, involves a deficiency in factor IX. These conditions are linked to mutations on the X chromosome, which is why the disorders are more commonly found in males, who have only one X chromosome.
Hemophilia C, much rarer, is caused by a deficiency in factor XI and is not linked to the sex chromosomes. Treatment for mild hemophilia may involve the administration of desmopressin (DDAVP), which can stimulate the release of stored factor VIII in patients with hemophilia A. However, those with more severe forms of hemophilia typically require regular infusions of clotting factors, which are isolated from healthy donors, to prevent bleeding episodes. In the future, genetic therapy may become a treatment option for individuals with hemophilia.