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Boston Hemophilia Center

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Boston Hemophilia Center

Treatments We Offer

Treatments We Offer

Specific treatments for hemophilia include:

Factor Replacement Therapy

Early treatment of bleeding episodes is essential. Administering intravenous clotting factor replacement stops the bleeding and reduces the risk of complications. Home infusion nurses come to your home to infuse factor. They also train patients and family members, when they are ready, to administer this treatment themselves. This approach leads to more rapid treatment and decreases the number of hospital visits, allowing people with the illness to live more independent, active lives.

Treating Hemophilia A

Patients with severe hemophilia A require infusions of purified factor VIII products. Factor VIII products are made by either purification from human plasma (the liquid part of blood) or by synthetic processes. Advances in the purification and the development of synthetic, recombinant factor VIII technology have significantly improved the safety of all factor VIII products. Some patients with mild or moderate hemophilia A may benefit from treatment with a synthetic hormone called DDAVP. Available as a nose spray or by intravenous infusion, this hormone increases the levels of factor VIII in the blood.

Treating Hemophilia B

Hemophilia B, caused by a deficiency of factor IX, is treated with intravenous infusion of plasma-derived or synthetic recombinant factor IX.

Treating Inhibitors

Sometimes people with hemophilia can develop inhibitors, or antibodies that destroy the clotting factor replacement. This complication is more common in people with severe hemophilia, and usually develops in toddlers or early childhood. Screening for inhibitors is part of the comprehensive annual medical exam. Individual treatment plans are created for people with hemophilia.

Treating von Willebrand Disease

Treatment of this condition can include the use of birth control pills to minimize menstrual bleeding, and sometimes the use of the synthetic hormone DDAVP to increase levels of von Willebrand factor in the blood.


					Children's Hospital Boston is the primary pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School

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