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Lifestyles - Living life to the fullest!
 The professionals at the comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Centers work as a team to
address your child’s medical needs. Your treating physician provides you with specific advice on the medical and
health needs of your child. FactorHealth has assembled some general guidelines to supplement your
knowledge of bleeding disorders that can assist you in making informed choices for your child.
Your child will have different needs at various stages of growth and maturity and following these guidelines will take on varying degrees of importance over time.
Prevention and Treatment
- Use protective devices such as knee and elbow pads and helmets for active toddlers
- Add additional child proofing to your home to cushion falls and prevent accidents
- Discuss prophylaxis and implanted port options with your physician
- A key to success is to give factor as soon as possible at the onset of a bleed
- Know that bleeding into specific body parts are emergency situations and seek medical help as soon as possible. The critical areas that need immediate attention are the head, eye, throat, neck, back, groin, hip or abdomen (stomach area)
- Educate family members, childcare workers and school nurses in the basics of hemophilia care
School In Service Available
FactorHealth can arrange for professional clinicians to in-service key school staff in
the basic care needs and appropriate responses to a child with a bleeding disorder. Contact FactorHealth toll free at 1-800-223-7151
or click here.
Joint Bleeds
- Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of a bleed in young child such as favoring a limb, a painful or stiff joint, a joint that can’t be moved all the way, if you see the child hit a joint hard, or a baby that is crying for no reason
- Be watchful for target joints. A target joint is one that has repeated bleeds
- Infuse factor before your child engages in an activity that can result in a bleed
- Do not give aspirin or aspirin products for pain. Aspirin slows down blood clotting and makes it harder for the platelets to stick together
- Make sure your child gets plenty of approved exercise. Talk to a physical therapist about an exercise program. Exercise will strengthen the muscles that protect joints
- Consult your physician in recommending multi-vitamins and mineral supplements
- Provide your child with a healthy diet to help him develop strong bones and muscles
- Maintain your child’s weight appropriate to his height and age. Extra weight puts stress on the body’s joints and requires more factor for the child
Prevention vs. Treatment
Prevention includes many good habits to enhance health and protection. There are many ways to avoid bleeding episodes and participate more fully in activities.
These include:
- Regular exercise and good nutrition
- Making a habit of using protective gear such as seat belts and bicycle helmets
- Using protective clothing
- Infusing before activities that might cause a bleed
- Keeping Clinic appointments
- Maintaining a bleeding log to track target joints
- Completing infusion logs for good medication record keeping
- Training your local school, fire, ambulance and Emergency Room personnel in the basics of bleeding disorder care
- Becoming an advocate for your child
- Staying in contact with your homecare provider to maintain your factor inventory and supplies
- You can offer your child the opportunity to lead an active lifestyle that will help promote a healthy body and mind
** Before beginning any Exercise Program, contact your doctor, nurse, or Hemophilia Treatment Center for approval **
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