What is congenital haemophilia?

Haemophilia is an inherited (congenital) bleeding disorder that occurs frequently in males. It occurs when the levels of certain clotting factors (factors VIII or IX) are reduced or are completely absent. This is because the gene that controls the production of the clotting factor does not work properly. In the case of haemophilia A, there is a problem with factor VIII and in haemophilia B it is factor IX. These clotting factors are essential in order to prevent uncontrolled bleeding.

Without these clotting factors, bleeding will continue until treatment is given because the body is not able to produce sufficient natural clotting factors to form a clot to stop it.