Warning Signs Linked To Christmas Disease (Hemophilia B)

Christmas disease, also known as hemophilia B, is an uncommon genetic disorder that causes an individual to have blood that does not properly clot. The blood in affected individuals does not clot correctly due to a deficiency of clotting factor IX. Around sixty percent of all hemophilia B cases are inherited from the patient's parents. Spontaneous mutations in specific genes are thought to be the cause of the remainder of hemophilia B cases. Christmas disease almost always occurs in males because the X chromosome carries the mutation that causes it. Christmas disease is diagnosed with the use of blood tests, including a partial thromboplastin time test, prothrombin time test, and a fibrinogen test. Christmas disease cannot be cured, so treatment focuses on managing its symptoms. Preventative measures, wound treatment, and factor IX injections are used to treat hemophilia B.