Hemophilia Clinic

The pediatric hematology group at Mary Bridge Children’s runs a collaborative hemophilia clinic in conjunction with the Washington Centers for Bleeding Disorders. Our clinic gives children convenient access to specialized hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease care, without having to travel to Seattle.

What is hemophilia?

Hemophilia is an inherited condition where the body has trouble forming blood clots. Blood clots are what stop your body from bleeding, both on the outside and internally. Symptoms of hemophilia can include:

• Uncontrolled heavy bleeding, the most common symptom
• Easy bruising
• Frequent or severe nosebleeds
• Easy bleeding from minor injuries, brushing teeth or dental work
• Bleeding in the joints, a common complication that can lead to chronic arthritis and disability
• Bleeding in the muscles, which can cause permanent damage as well as pain, swelling and redness
• Spontaneous or injury-related brain bleeds, which can lead to disability or death

What is Von Willebrand disease?

Von Willebrand disease is a disorder where blood does not clot properly. It is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, with symptoms that may include:

• Prolonged nosebleeds
• Excessive bleeding after dental work or surgery
• Easy bruising
• Heavy menstrual bleeding

Von Willebrand disease is typically milder than hemophilia. It also affects boys and girls equally, while hemophilia mainly affects boys.

Diagnosis and treatment

Specialists may perform blood draws to check blood counts and levels of clotting factors. They may also use genetic testing to evaluate whether your child has genetic mutations known to cause hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease.

At our hemophilia clinic, we create a comprehensive treatment plan personalized to your child’s unique needs. Our services include:

Medication management. One treatment for Von Willebrand disease is desmopressin (DDAVP®). This medicine is an injection or nasal spray that causes the body to release more of its own clotting substances into the bloodstream. Doctors may also prescribe antifibrinolytic drugs, which prevent blood clots from breaking down after surgery or injury.

Clotting factor replacement therapy. The main treatment for hemophilia is intravenous (IV) infusion of medication to control bleeding. Doctors may use clotting factor replacement to treat patients with Von Willebrand disease who do not respond to desmopressin. We also treat complex cases where children have developed resistance to clotting factors.

Joint measurements and monitoring. Bleeding within the joints is a common problem for hemophilia patients. We will measure your child’s joints and provide IV clotting factor replacement to stop any bleeding in the joints and/or muscles.

Physical therapy. Our physical therapists can assist with exercises to improve your child’s range of motion during recovery from joint and/or muscle bleeding episodes.

Comprehensive support during treatment

Throughout the process, you will have a team of specialists available to help your child cope with treatment.

Our sedation services team provides medication as necessary to relax your child during testing or medical procedures. Our child life specialists help by explaining medical processes in child-friendly language, as well as distracting children during procedures such as blood draws. Learn more about how we help children and families.