Christmas disease
Christmas disease Causes
Classic Hemophilia occurs due to a substance created by the genetic mutation called anti-hemophilic globulin. An offspring of a female carrier and a male hemophiliac also produces another hemophiliac, but with different blood-clotting characteristics, thus the name Hemophilia B, or Christmas disease.
Christmas disease Definition
Christmas disease, scientifically known as Hemophilia B, is a blood-clotting illness brought about by a mutation in the Factor IX gene which causes the lack of Factor IX. It is the second and less prevalent form of Hemophilia named after Stephen Christmas, the first patient diagnosed with the disease.
Christmas disease Genetics
Hemophilia B is an X-linked recessive trait, as the factor IX gene can be found in the X chromosome. Only males are affected by the disease, while females serve as its carriers.
Christmas disease Treatment
Christmas disease was first treated by replacing the missing factor to the blood in order for it to coagulate. However the coagulation factor concentrates used were discovered to be potential carriers of viruses like HIV and hepatitis. Nowadays Christmas disease is treated with genetically engineered coagulation factors in order to avoid the acquisition of viruses.