What is the Difference Between Hemophilia A and B and C?

Hemophilia A, B, and C are inherited blood disorders that result from a deficiency in blood clotting factors. The primary differences between these three types of hemophilia are the specific clotting factor that is deficient and the inheritance pattern of the disorder.

1. Hemophilia A: This type of hemophilia is caused by a deficiency in clotting factor VIII. It is an X-linked recessive disorder, which means it is mainly seen in males, while females typically serve as carriers.
2. Hemophilia B: Also known as Christmas disease, hemophilia B is caused by a deficiency in clotting factor IX. Like hemophilia A, it is an X-linked recessive disorder, affecting males more commonly than females.
3. Hemophilia C: This rare form of hemophilia, also known as plasma thromboplastin antecedent deficiency or Rosenthal syndrome, is caused by a deficiency in clotting factor XI. In contrast to hemophilia A and B, it is an autosomal recessive disorder, affecting both males and females equally.

Another difference between these disorders is the severity of symptoms and the type of bleeding issues that may arise. People with hemophilia C generally experience milder symptoms and less frequent joint and muscle bleeding compared to those with hemophilia A or B. Treatment for hemophilia C is typically only required during surgical procedures, while the other types of hemophilia may require more frequent treatment and prophylaxis.

Comparative Table: Hemophilia A vs B vs C

Hemophilia A, B, and C are hereditary bleeding disorders caused by the deficiency of blood clotting factors VIII, IX, and XI, respectively. Here is a table summarizing the differences between these three types of hemophilia:

Hemophilia A and B are more common than hemophilia C. Hemophilia A is more prevalent than hemophilia B, with a prevalence of one in 5,000 male live births compared to one in 30,000, respectively. Hemophilia A and B are X-linked recessive disorders, meaning that the affected gene is located on the X chromosome, while hemophilia C is autosomal recessive, with the affected gene located on an autosome. As a result, hemophilia A and B are mostly seen in males, while hemophilia C affects both men and women equally.