Hemophilia Diagnosis
The initial diagnosis of hemophilia depends to some extent on the family context. In families in which hemophilia has previously been identified, family counseling determines the risk of hemophilia transmission and usually results in a diagnosis being made in utero or early in neonatal life. In contrast, when there is no family history of the disease, the diagnosis will often not be made until there are signs of factor deficiency. In severe deficiency states, the diagnosis is often made in the first 1 to 2 years of life, but with moderate and mild disease, the diagnosis may be made much later; with mild hemophilia, the diagnosis may be delayed until late adult life when bleeding occurs after a surgical intervention.