What are inhibitors in the context of hemophilia?

Question

Hello doctor,

My wife and I recently went for genetic counseling because she has a few cousins with hemophilia. They talked about something called 'inhibitors,' but we did not get what it meant. Could you explain it in simple terms? I think they said it is something that can happen with treatment. We are just trying to wrap our heads around it, especially since it might affect our future kids. How serious is it if someone gets these inhibitors? We are a bit worried about what this means long-term.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Hemophilia is a major bleeding disorder. There are medications (concentrated factors) used in the treatment to either prevent bleeding or stop bleeding episodes. Some very few individuals, when treatment is started, in some cases, develop inhibitors that prevent these factor concentrations from working. At this point, the drugs would not be able to either prevent bleeding or stop a bleeding episode.

An individual with inhibitors requires special treatment and other measures to prevent bleeding episodes until the inhibitors clear from the body. Once it is confirmed that the inhibitors have been cleared, the medications for hemophilia can be recommended gradually. This is more common in hemophilia A patients on treatment, so it is recommended that they test for inhibitors at least once a year.

I hope this information helps you.

Revert in case of queries.

Regards.

Thank you for contacting icliniq.