Hemophilia
Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom of hemophilia is bleeding, especially into the joints and muscles. When a child with hemophilia is injured, he does not bleed faster than a child without hemophilia. He bleeds longer. He may also start bleeding again several days after an injury or surgery. Small cuts or surface bruises usually are not a problem, but deeper injuries may result in bleeding episodes that can cause serious problems and lead to permanent disability unless treated promptly.

Symptoms of hemophilic bleeding depend on where the bleeding occurs. Infants may have bleeding from their mouth when they are cutting teeth, bite their tongue or tear tissue in their mouth. Toddlers and older children commonly have bleeding into muscles and joints. Symptoms of bleeding include pain, swelling, loss of range of motion and an inability to move or use the affected arm or leg. Usually there is no bruising or discoloration of the skin to indicate that the swelling and pain are due to blood.

Another symptom of hemophilia is easy bruising. Children with hemophilia may have many bruises of different sizes all over their bodies. Other symptoms of bleeding may be a prolonged nosebleed or vomiting of blood.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated November 6, 2009