Hemophilia Care in the Pediatric Age

Thrombotic Disease in Hemophilic Patients: Is This a Paradox in a State of Hypocoagulability?

Hemophilia patients have a deficiency in or dysfunction of clotting factors, which can lead to a bleeding tendency. However, paradoxically, some hemophilia patients may also be at an increased risk of developing thrombotic events such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. The pathophysiology of thrombosis in hemophilia patients is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve a complex interplay of various factors, including the severity of the hemophilia, the presence of other risk factors such as obesity, smoking, or the use of hormonal therapies, and the presence of certain genetic mutations that increase the risk of thrombosis. In addition, it has been suggested that the use of clotting factor replacement therapy, which is a standard treatment for hemophilia, may also contribute to the development of thrombosis in some cases.

Local Anesthesia Onset and Pain Perception in Hemophilic and Thalassemic Conditions

The study aims to evaluate and compare the onset of local anesthesia (LA) and pain perception during endodontic treatment in hemophilic and thalassemic patients. Methods: The study included 90 patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis of the mandibular molars. Three groups (n = 30 in each group) were included. Group 1: hemophilic patients; group 2: thalassemic patients; and group 3: individuals without any systemic diseases. Onset of LA and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores was recorded immediately after the administration of local anesthesia, during the pulp exposure procedure, and during canal instrumentation, and were compared between the three groups. Frequency distribution, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis (p < 0.05) were applied. Results: The mean onset time was 46 ± 34 s in the hemophilic group, 42 ± 23 s in the thalassemic group, and 38 ± 12 s in controls, but the differences were statistically insignificant. After LA administration (LA-VAS), all three groups experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain (p = 0.048). On pulp exposure (PE-VAS) (p = 0.82) and during canal instrumentation (CI-VAS) (p = 0.55), there was no statistically significant difference in pain perception between the groups. The coefficients indicate a positive correlation between the VAS and onset time, indicating a positive reduction in the VAS following the administration of LA. Conclusions: Hemophilic patients exhibited a clinically longer average onset time for LA. However, the difference among the three groups with regard to the overall pain perception after LA administration, during and after pulp exposure, and during canal instrumentation was statistically insignificant.

Considerations for shared decision management in previously untreated patients with hemophilia A or B

Recent advances in therapeutics are now providing a wide range of options for adults and children living with hemophilia. Although therapeutic choices are also increasing for the youngest individuals with severe disease, challenges remain about early management decisions, as supporting data are currently limited. Parents and healthcare professionals are tasked with helping children achieve an inclusive quality of life and maintain good joint health into adulthood. Primary prophylaxis is the gold standard to optimize outcomes and is recommended to start before 2 years of age. A range of topics need to be discussed with parents to aid their understanding of the decisions they can make and how these will affect the management of their child/children. For those with a family history of hemophilia, prenatal considerations include the possibility of genetic counseling, prenatal investigations, and planning for delivery, together with monitoring of the mother and neonate, as well as diagnosis of the newborn and treatment of any birth-associated bleeding. Subsequent considerations, which are also applicable to families where infant bleeding has resulted in a new diagnosis of sporadic hemophilia, involve explaining bleed recognition and treatment options, practical aspects of initiating/continuing prophylaxis, dealing with bleeds, and ongoing aspects of treatment, including possible inhibitor development. Over time, optimizing treatment efficacy, in which individualizing therapy around activities can play a role, and long-term considerations, including retaining joint health and tolerance maintenance, become increasingly important. The evolving treatment landscape is creating a need for continually updated guidance. Multidisciplinary teams and peers from patient organizations can help provide relevant information. Easily accessible, multidisciplinary comprehensive care remains a foundation to care. Equipping parents early with the knowledge to facilitate truly informed decision-making will help achieve the best possible longer-term health equity and quality of life for the child and family living with hemophilia.

Plain language summary

Points to be taken into account to help families make decisions to best care for children born with hemophilia Medical advances are providing a range of treatment options for adults and children with hemophilia. There is, however, relatively limited information about managing newborns with the condition. Doctors and nurses can help parents to understand the choices for infants born with hemophilia. We describe the various points doctors and nurses should ideally discuss with families to enable informed decision-making. We focus on infants who require early treatment to prevent spontaneous or traumatic bleeding (prophylaxis), which is recommended to start before 2 years of age. Families with a history of hemophilia may benefit from discussions before pregnancy, including how an affected child would be treated to protect against bleeds. When mothers are pregnant, doctors can explain investigations that can provide information about their unborn child, plan for the birth, and monitor mother and baby to minimize bleed risks at delivery. Testing will confirm whether the baby is affected by hemophilia. Not all infants with hemophilia will be born to families with a history of the condition. Identification of hemophilia for the first time in a family (which is 'sporadic hemophilia') occurs in previously undiagnosed infants who have bleeds requiring medical advice and possibly hospital treatment. Before any mothers and babies with hemophilia are discharged from hospital, doctors and nurses will explain to parents how to recognize bleeding and available treatment options can be discussed. Over time, ongoing discussions will help parents to make informed treatment decisions:• When and how to start, then continue, prophylaxis.• How to deal with bleeds (reinforcing previous discussions about bleed recognition and treatment) and other ongoing aspects of treatment. ○ For instance, children may develop neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) to treatment they are receiving, requiring a change to the planned approach.• Ensuring treatment remains effective as their child grows, considering the varied needs and activities of their child.

Assessment of quality of life by functional independence score in hemophilic patients: a single-center experience

Background

Hemophilia is an inherited condition that is caused by the deficiency of clotting factors in the blood. The most common presentations of hemophilia are hemarthrosis and muscle hemorrhage. The severity of the bleeding episodes can vary from mild to severe resulting in pain and swelling of the joints and the muscles. Repeated musculoskeletal bleeding can result in hemophilic arthropathies with subsequent joint degeneration and deformity. Our study aims to clinically assess the quality of life in hemophilic patients in terms of disease severity and morbidity in our community using the Functional Independence Score for Hemophilia (FISH).

Results

Our cross-sectional study which involved 64 hemophilia patients revealed that the most affected joints were the weight-bearing large joints (knees, elbows, ankles) and this was associated with a lower FISH score. While the total FISH score showed a significant positive correlation with the factor activity level, the average FISH score was 21.11 ± 4.5, and the score was slightly lower in severe hemophilia compared to mild-moderate disease.

Conclusion

We concluded that there is a significant decline in the functional ability of hemophilia patients having disease affecting the knee and elbow joints. Moreover, squatting was significantly reduced in patients with severe hemophilia. The quality of patients’ life can be improved by early and regular physiotherapy and regular administration of the prophylactic factor.

Young mice administered adult doses of AAV5-hFVIII-SQ achieve therapeutic factor VIII expression into adulthood

Valoctocogene roxaparvovec (AAV5-hFVIII-SQ) gene transfer provided reduced bleeding for adult clinical trial participants with severe hemophilia A. However, pediatric outcomes are unknown. Using a mouse model of hemophilia A, we investigated the effect of vector dose and age at treatment on transgene production and persistence. We dosed AAV5-hFVIII-SQ to neonatal and adult mice based on body weight or at a fixed dose and assessed human factor VIII-SQ variant (hFVIII-SQ) expression through 16 weeks. AAV5-hFVIII-SQ dosed per body weight in neonatal mice did not result in meaningful plasma hFVIII-SQ protein levels in adulthood. When treated with the same total vector genomes per mouse as adult mice, neonates maintained hFVIII-SQ expression into adulthood, although plasma levels were 3- to 4-fold lower versus mice dosed as adults. Mice <1 week old initially exhibited high hFVIII-SQ plasma levels and maintained meaningful levels into adulthood, despite a partial decline potentially due to age-related body mass and blood volume increases. Spatial transduction patterns differed between mice dosed as neonates versus adults. No features of hepatotoxicity or endoplasmic reticulum stress were observed with dosing at any age. These data suggest that young mice require the same total vector genomes as adult mice to sustain hFVIII-SQ plasma levels.

"Haemophilia A" - Presenting with oral squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis and management strategies

Hemophilia is a hereditary disorder of coagulation that results in deficiency of factor VIII (Hemophilia A) or Factor IX (Hemophilia B) with characteristic X linked mode of inheritance, almost exclusively seen in males while females are asymptomatic carriers.The common clinical manifestation in both is prolonged bleeding on trivial trauma, mainly into larger joints or muscles. Life threatening bleeding episodes can result spontaneously or from trauma to the head or internal organs. Replacement of deficient clotting protein, known as Anti Hemophilic Factor (AHF) is the main stay in the treatment of haemophilia. Any Surgical treatment of these patients is to be planned in Institution hospital where comprehensive care is available. The availability of AHF has enabled surgeons to take up surgeries in patients with haemophilia. We discuss PWH with congenital factor VIII deficiency presented with oral squamous cell carcinoma of left side lower jaw with main aim is to provide insight into surgical management and care protocol of these patients.

Socio-emotional repercussions of severe haemophilia A in the daily lives of children

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

Haemophilia A, in its most severe form, can have serious repercussions, including issues that are physical, emotional, affective, and social, particularly in childhood. This qualitative study aims to understand the socio-emotional repercussions of severe haemophilia A in children, based on their own testimonies and subjective expressions of their daily lives, in the contexts of the family, school and health service.

METHODS

Individual qualitative interviews were carried out using a playful approach through puppets with 15 children, aged 6-12 years old, in a service for the treatment of haemophilia, located in the northeast of Brazil. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Four themes were elaborated: (a) Reflecting how I am and how I relate to others; (b) Enjoying family moments; (c) Experiencing the school context: learning, affectivity and play; and (d) Dealing with haemophilia: acceptance and overcoming strategies.

CONCLUSION

The experiences shared by children with severe haemophilia A and their daily needs should be the basis for guiding child-centred care. Encouraging self-care, including self-administration of the deficient factor, requires a partnership between health professionals, family members, school and child in the construction of therapeutic plans that consider the child's active participation.

Investigation of the Bleeding Tendency in Sudanese Female Carriers of Hemophilia B

Background. Hemophilia (HB) is an X-linked, recessive bleeding disorder characterized by the deficiency or absence of the coagulation factor IX. Usually, females are carriers of the trait, while males are affected. FIX deficiency leads to uncontrollable bleeding events, and the severity is dependent on the levels of the clotting factor. The objective of this research was to measure the prevalence of bleeding tendency in Sudanese carriers of HB. Materials and Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 88 Sudanese carriers of HB participated. The activated partial thromboplastin time test (APTT) and FIX test were performed for each carrier. The frequencies of DNA polymorphism and FIX-linked restriction fragments BamHI, HhaI, and MnII were also assessed. The study was conducted in Khartoum, Sudan, during the period from 2015 to 2017. Results. The study showed that 55 (62.5%) HB carriers were from the Laban village in the White Nile State, and all of them were members of the Shinkheb tribe. The mean age of the study population was 26.3 years. Among the carriers, 57 (64.7%) had abnormal coagulation profiles. The mean value of the APTT level among carriers was significantly increased ( $P$ value: 0.000), while the mean concentration of the FIX levels among the carriers was significantly decreased ( $P$ value: 0.000). The study also showed a negative correlation between PTT and F assay with $P$ value of 0.000 and $R$ value of 0.578. Conclusion. The APTT is high in most carriers and the FIX assay level is low in most carriers. Most carriers had no symptoms and were not bleeding. The Shinkheb tribe is the most ethnic tribe carrying HB (62.5%). HhaII is more informative for carrier detection than others, but it is of significant value if both (MnII and HhaII) were performed in parallel. In Sudanese, BamHI was informative but MnII and HhaII were best in the mutation detection and for prenatal diagnosis.

Risk and Management of Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Patients with Bleeding Disorders

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most dreaded complication, and the main cause of death, in patients with congenital bleeding disorders. ICH can occur in all congenital bleeding disorders, ranging from mild, like some platelet function disorders, to severe disorders such as hemophilia A, which can cause catastrophic hemorrhage. While extremely rare in mild bleeding disorders, ICH is common in severe coagulation factor (F) XIII deficiency. ICH can be spontaneous or trauma-related. Spontaneous ICH occurs more often in adults, while trauma-related ICH is more prevalent in children. Risk factors that can affect the occurrence of ICH include the type of bleeding disorder and its severity, genotype and genetic polymorphisms, type of delivery, and sports and other activities. Patients with hemophilia A; afibrinogenemia; FXIII, FX, and FVII deficiencies; and type 3 von Willebrand disease are more susceptible than those with mild platelet function disorders, FV, FXI, combined FV-FVIII deficiencies, and type 1 von Willebrand disease. Generally, the more severe the disorder, the more likely the occurrence of ICH. Contact sports and activities can provoke ICH, while safe and noncontact sports present more benefit than danger. An important risk factor is stressful delivery, whether it is prolonged or by vacuum extraction. These should be avoided in patients with congenital bleeding disorders. Familiarity with all risk factors of ICH can help prevent occurrence of this diathesis and reduce related morbidity and mortality.

A basis for prenatal diagnosis of Haemophilia-A in Pakistani patients

OBJECTIVE

To screen Haemophilia-A patients for five known recurrent F8 gene variants and to analyze CA repeats in intron 13 of F8 gene in the mother and the affected child pairs.

METHODS

In this descriptive cross sectional study, 80 unrelated pairs of "mother and son" affected by Haemophilia-A were recruited as subjects. After collection of samples DNA was extracted using the Chelex (Bio-Rad, USA) method. Five known F8 gene variants were screened in the mothers and the affected sons by the allele specific PCR. The amplified products were separated on 2% agarose gels.CA repeats in intron 13 of the F8 gene in the mother and the affected child pairs were analyzed by Sanger sequencing method. The CA repeat alleles were used to look for the feasibility of linkage based diagnosis of Haemophilia-A in the affected families. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0.

RESULTS

In the 80 subject "mother and son" pairs a recurrent F8 gene variant was found in 32 pairs (40%). The most recurrent variant c.6869G>A was seen in 12 (15%). Linkage based analysis of the CA repeats in intron 13 was found to be informative in 29 (36.2%) mother-son pairs.

CONCLUSION

The five known Haemophilia-A disease causing variants were found in 40% of the Pakistani Haemophilia-A patients. The five recurrent F8 gene variants and the CA repeats in intron 13 of F8 gene can provide a comprehensive basis for carrying out prenatal diagnosis and carrier screening in majority of the Pakistani Haemophilia-A families.

Sports and Children with Hemophilia: Current Trends

Hemophilia is a sex-linked recessive disorder characterized by a lack of blood factors necessary for clotting. This review aims to investigate the benefits of sports activities in children with hemophilia in terms of both physical and psychological wellness. Sports activity is necessary for children with hemophilia to preserve joints’ range of motion, reduce joint bleeding, improve muscle mass and strength, enhance proprioception and prevent secondary chronic diseases. In the past, high-impact sports were usually forbidden in children with hemophilia because of their high bleeding risk. Recent studies, however, have shown that prophylaxis therapy can allow a hemophilic child to take part in vigorous activities or high-impact sports. The benefits of sports activity in children with hemophilia are expressed by a better muscular trophism and an improved bone mineral density. Moreover, physical activity has a positive impact on children’s psychosocial well-being. Due to prophylaxis therapy, the quality of life of children with hemophilia is similar to their peers, and this has allowed an improvement in sports participation, including team sports.

Post-hoc analysis on the long-term response to fixed-dose prophylaxis with N8-GP in patients with haemophilia A

INTRODUCTION

Challenges with personalised prophylaxis in haemophilia remain, including designing unique dosing schedules that require continual adjustments and monitoring using complex sampling procedures.

AIM

To assess long-term efficacy and pharmacokinetic outcomes with fixed-dose N8-GP prophylaxis.

METHODS

Descriptive analyses were performed on data from the pathfinder 2 and pathfinder 5 trials of patients with severe haemophilia A. Bleed frequency and reoccurrence were assessed in relation to several clinical criteria of interest. Bleed risk relative to time since last dose was assessed using calculated annualised bleeding rate (ABR). Long-term ABR and mean factor VIII (FVIII) trough levels were assessed in patients who received consistent N8-GP prophylaxis every 4 days (Q4D).

RESULTS

During pathfinder 2, 117/136 patients with study-drug exposure of ≥600 days experienced bleeding episodes; 8.6% of bleeds were reoccurring bleeds; bleed reoccurrence decreased over time. For patients who received consistent Q4D prophylaxis across the trial (n = 61), mean ABR decreased from 3.5 bleeds/year (Year 1) to 1.6 bleeds/year (Year 6); mean FVIII trough levels stabilised at approximately 5% (Year 6). Across patients who received prophylaxis at some point during pathfinder 2 (n = 177), 125/126 (99%) reoccurring bleeds were joint bleeds. For patients receiving Q4D prophylaxis, bleeding risk generally increased as the time since the last prophylaxis dose increased. A similar reduction in ABR and stabilisation of trough level was observed in pathfinder 5.

CONCLUSION

Long-term exposure (> 5 years) to fixed-dose N8-GP prophylaxis resulted in a protective haemostatic effect, with reduction in bleed frequency and reoccurrence, and stabilisation of FVIII trough level over time.

Patient With Hemophilia A Undergoing Consecutive Coronary Bypass and Live Donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

Liver transplantation surgery due to cirrhosis in patients with hemophilia is rare and there are limited cases in the literature. We present a case of a patient with hemophilia A who underwent 2 consecutive surgeries owing to coronary artery disease and cryptogenic cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. After these surgeries, no bleeding or other complications were seen, and the factor VIII levels have not changed since liver transplantation in the follow-up.

A Cross-National Survey of People Living with Hemophilia: Impact on Daily Living and Patient Education in Central Europe

BACKGROUND

Information about the impact of hemophilia on daily living and information preferences for patients and their caregivers in Central Europe has been limited.

METHODS

This cross-national survey was conducted between April 1 and October 15, 2020 and utilized a self-administered questionnaire to collect data (Typeform™) from people living with hemophilia in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. The questionnaire included 22 questions regarding difficulties in daily life and preferences for receiving hemophilia-related information. Respondents were stratified into two main groups, people with hemophilia (PwH) or their caregivers (CPwH). Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Of the 364 respondents, 232 were PwH (63.7%) and 132 were CPwH (36.3%). In total, 70.3% of hemophilia patients/caregivers responded that they are kept sufficiently informed about life with hemophilia, with 68.0%, 59.1% and 56.3% of respondents obtaining information from their physicians, patient associations and via digital media (internet and social media), respectively. However, 97.8% of respondents expressed an interest in additional information, particularly new hemophilia treatment options (62.1%), which in contrast to other topics was indicated most frequently by both patients and caregivers in all six countries. Most frequent difficulties in everyday life with hemophilia were identified as mobility problems (41.8%), unexpected bleeding (38.5%), pain (35.4%), and uncertainty with what they can or cannot do (25.0%). During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, 52.5% of respondents reported that they did not experience any major change in daily living with hemophilia.

CONCLUSION

Based on our Central European survey, hemophilia mostly affects peoples' lives by causing mobility difficulties, unexpected bleeding, pain and uncertainty in daily activities. Although the majority of respondents reported being educated about hemophilia, most PwH and CPwH respondents sought additional information, highlighting the need for continuous personalized patient education to cope with present challenges.

Foot health-related quality of life in hemophiliacs: A case-control study

Background: Haemophilia is considered as a chronic genetic disease related with alteration in coagulation mechanism which affects to health related quality of life (HQoL). Purpose: The goal compared marks of HQoL, in haemophiliacs with respect non haemophilic subjects. Methods: A population of 74 subjects, were recruited from association of haemophilic illness separated in haemophilic subjects (n = 37) and no haemophilic (n = 37). For subjects who suffered haemophilia were enlisted from the association of haemophilic illness after a seminar of 45 minutes to them and to their relatives about foot health. Control subjects, were recruited from their relatives who live with the patient. The marks of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire Spanish S_FHSQ sub-scales were recompiled. Results: All S_FHSQ domains as foot pain, foot function, tootwear, general foot health, general health, physical activity and social capacity showed lower scores in the haemophilic than non-haemophilic group (P <0.01) except for vigour (P = 0.173). Regarding the rest sub-scale marks of S_FHSQ, showed no significant difference P <0.01. Conclusion: Subjects with a haemophilia showed significant worse foot QoL in all S_FHSQ domains except vigour domain compared with non-haemophilic subjects.

Safety and Efficacy of Turoctocog Alfa in the Prevention and Treatment of Bleeding Episodes in Previously Treated Patients from China with Severe Hemophilia A: Results from the Guardian 7 Trial

Purpose

Hemophilia care in China is characterized by widespread use of on-demand regimens and low-dose prophylaxis. With a limited number of approved recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) products, the incidence of arthropathy and disability in hemophilia patients remains high in China. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of turoctocog alfa for prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding episodes in patients from China with severe hemophilia A across all age groups.

Patients and Methods

In this Phase 3, open-label trial, previously treated males of all ages with severe hemophilia A from China received turoctocog alfa for prophylaxis or on-demand treatment of bleeds. The primary endpoint was hemostatic effect for the treatment of bleeds during the main phase of the trial. Secondary endpoints included annualized bleeding rate during prophylaxis and the frequency of FVIII inhibitor development.

Results

Overall, 42 pediatric patients (age <12 years) and 26 adolescent/adult patients (≥12 years) were dosed with turoctocog alfa; 51 patients initiated treatment with prophylaxis, while 17 patients initiated on-demand treatment. During the main phase of the trial (6 months), hemostatic success was 95.1%. During the full trial (up to 24 months), hemostatic success was 95.4%; the overall median ABR was 1.18 bleeds/patient/year for prophylaxis patients; and 25 (51.0%) of 49 patients with target joints at baseline had all target joints resolved. No FVIII inhibitors (≥0.6 BU) were reported.

Conclusion

Turoctocog alfa was safe and effective for prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding episodes and for surgery in patients from China with severe hemophilia A across all ages.

BAY 81-8973 prophylaxis and pharmacokinetics in haemophilia A: Interim results from the TAURUS study

OBJECTIVES

To report interim data from TAURUS, a study assessing real-world prophylactic treatment with unmodified, full-length recombinant FVIII BAY 81-8973 (Kovaltry^® ; Bayer) indicated for haemophilia A.

METHODS

TAURUS (NCT02830477) is an international, open-label, prospective, non-interventional, single-arm study with a one-year observation period (target N = 350). Patients have moderate or severe haemophilia A (FVIII ≤5% or ≤1%) and ≥50 exposure days to any FVIII product. Clinician- and patient-reported outcomes are captured on previous product use, changes in prophylaxis dose and dosing frequency, FVIII consumption, reported bleeding rates, treatment satisfaction and adherence, pharmacokinetic (PK) data (if available) and safety data.

RESULTS

At cut-off, baseline data were available from 160 patients (89 had ≥6 months of follow-up data). Most patients had severe haemophilia A (85%), infused BAY 81-8973 ≥ 3×/wk (59%) and experienced a median number of total bleeds of 2.0 (non-annualised; 246 days median documentation period). Good levels of treatment satisfaction (Hemo-SAT_A,P ) and adherence (VERITAS-Pro) were maintained. TAURUS demonstrated a favourable PK profile of BAY 81-8973 in comparison with other standard half-life rFVIIIs and supported the WAPPS PopPK model. No patients developed inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

TAURUS data demonstrate effective prophylaxis with BAY 81-8973 in the real world without compromising patient satisfaction or adherence.

Haemophiliac adolescents' perspectives of resilience: A qualitative study based on the resilience in illness model

A qualitative study was conducted to investigate the concept of resilience among Iranian haemophilic adolescents based on the Haase's Resilience in Illness Model (RIM). Purposive sampling was used to recruit 15 participants comprising haemophilic adolescents and their parents in the study. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analysed using direct content analysis. The themes and categories were defensive coping (emotive coping, evasive coping), courageous coping (optimism, constructive approach, seeking support), derived meaning (spiritual strategy, hope) and social support (support from family, friends and treatment teams). Social support, adopting a spiritual strategy and self-management behaviours played an important role among the adolescents in improving their level of resilience and skills to cope with haemophilia.

Unmasking Hemophilia B After Hip Aspiration: A Case Report

CASE

A 7-year-old boy presented with excruciating hip pain for 1 day, unable to bear weight. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed small hip joint effusion and synovitis, which was treated by urgent operative aspiration to rule out infection. Subsequently, the postoperative site bled continuously, despite compression. The hip wound and blood cultures showed no growth. He was examined by a hematologist and had normal coagulopathy lab results. He was discharged and went home 4 days after aspiration and was scheduled for outpatient hematology work-up. He was readmitted 11 days after aspiration with continued pain and MRI was repeated, showing large hip hemarthrosis. Lab results at that time showed a prolonged partial thromboplastin time of 43.9 seconds. The patient was given fresh frozen plasma. The hip effusion was stable on ultrasound. He was found to have low factor IX <17% consistent with hemophilia B and was given recombinant factor IX (Benefix) of 2,000 units. The following day, his pain was markedly improved and he was discharged. At the 4-month follow-up, the patient was fully ambulatory.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a case of unexpected bleeding after hip aspiration which led to the life-changing diagnosis of Hemophilia B in a pediatric patient. Orthopedists should be wary of bleeding dyscrasias and involve consultants as needed.

Oral and Psychological Alterations in Haemophiliac Patients

Haemophiliacs are hereditary coagulopathies whose basic anomaly consists of the quantitative or qualitative alteration of one or more plasma proteins in the coagulation system. The objective of this review is to analyse all risk factors, predispositions and alterations to the oral-maxillofacial district in patients with haemophilia. The broader assessment also includes the psychological aspects that could affect the treatment and maintenance of oral conditions. The study takes into consideration all the works in the literature in the last 10 years. Works that present oral, dental and psychological changes in haemophilia patients have been combined. A total of 16 studies were analysed carefully evaluating and explaining all the alterations and risk factors that this disease provides. The aim of the review is to report all the anomalies reported in the literature for these patients, and to direct and update the clinician in the treatment of haemophilia patients.

Surgical Risk on Patients with Coagulopathies: Guidelines on Hemophiliac Patients for Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery

BACKGROUND

Haemophilia is a disease of genetic origin, which causes a defect in blood coagulation. Under normal conditions, in the case of leakage from the blood vessels, the blood forms a clot that reduces or blocks the bleeding. This process involves the activation of several plasma proteins in a cascade-like species. Two of these proteins, produced in the liver, factor VIII and factor IX, are deficient or present a functional defect in people with haemophilia. Because of this deficit, the haemophiliacs easily suffer external and internal bleeding. Surgical treatment of these patients is to be observed, and often their treatment is delayed due to unclear guidelines and risks in treating these patients. The aim is to provide clear guidelines in the case of surgical treatment of these patients.

METHODS

In this study, we have considered all the guidelines that refer to the gold-maxillofacial surgery, focusing on the literature of the last 10 years.

RESULTS

Surely, this collection of guidelines will favor the choice of the clinician towards safer and predictable protocols. This study does not want to create a guideline but evaluates the literature of the last 10 years, and highlights the latest for the treatment of these patients., with the aim of informing the pathology and at the same time making the surgical maneuvers safer.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the research of literature has produced few results, it was nevertheless possible to draw up a guideline thanks to additional information extrapolated from textbooks and other scientific articles. According to the guidelines, it is possible to proceed to the treatment of these patients, if with appropriate therapy in a safe and risk-free manner.

Tolerance induction in hemophilia: innovation and accomplishments

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hemophilia is an X-linked blood coagulation genetic disorder, which can cause significant disability. Replacement therapy for coagulation factor VIII (hemophilia A) or factor IX (hemophilia B) may result in the development of high-affinity alloantibodies ('inhibitors') to the replacement therapy, thus making it ineffective. Therefore, there is interest in directing immunological responses towards tolerance to infused factors.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this review, we will discuss latest advancements in the development of potentially less immunogenic replacement clotting factors, optimization of current tolerance induction protocols (ITI), preclinical and clinical data of pharmacological immune modulation, hepatic gene therapy, and the rapidly advancing field of cell therapies. We will also evaluate publications reporting data from preclinical studies on oral tolerance induction using chloroplast-transgenic (transplastomic) plants.

SUMMARY

Until now, no clinical prophylactic immune modulatory protocol exists to prevent inhibitor formation to infused clotting factors. Recent innovative technologies provide hope for improved eradication and perhaps even prevention of inhibitors.

Innovative Approaches for Immune Tolerance to Factor VIII in the Treatment of Hemophilia A

Hemophilia A (coagulation factor VIII deficiency) is a debilitating genetic disorder that is primarily treated with intravenous replacement therapy. Despite a variety of factor VIII protein formulations available, the risk of developing anti-dug antibodies (“inhibitors”) remains. Overall, 20–30% of patients with severe disease develop inhibitors. Current clinical immune tolerance induction protocols to eliminate inhibitors are not effective in all patients, and there are no prophylactic protocols to prevent the immune response. New experimental therapies, such as gene and cell therapies, show promising results in pre-clinical studies in animal models of hemophilia. Examples include hepatic gene transfer with viral vectors, genetically engineered regulatory T cells (Treg), in vivo Treg induction using immune modulatory drugs, and maternal antigen transfer. Furthermore, an oral tolerance protocol is being developed based on transgenic lettuce plants, which suppressed inhibitor formation in hemophilic mice and dogs. Hopefully, some of these innovative approaches will reduce the risk of and/or more effectively eliminate inhibitor formation in future treatment of hemophilia A.