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Hemophilia

By , About.com Guide

Updated June 28, 2007

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Definition:

Hemophilia describes a group of hereditary disorders characterized by an inability of the blood to successfully clot. This can lead to uncontrolled bleeding, particularly from internal injuries.

Note: An individual with hemophilia is known as a hemophiliac.

Fun Fact: Hemophilia is known as "The Royal Disease," because the children of Queen Victoria spread the disease, via marriage, throughout the royal families of Europe.

Alternate Spellings: haemophilia
Examples:
Hemophiliacs were one of the groups in which the early HIV/AIDS epidemic was identified.

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