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The Global Insight

What is Hemophilia C

Author

Andrew Campbell

Updated on April 17, 2026

Hemophilia C, also known as Rosenthal syndrome, is caused by low levels of factor XI (11), another blood protein required to make a blood clot. Although associated with bleeding, hemophilia C differs from hemophilia A and B in cause and bleeding tendency

How is hemophilia C different?

Haemophilia C is caused by a deficiency of coagulation factor XI and is distinguished from haemophilia A and B by the fact it does not lead to bleeding into the joints.

What is hemophilia AB and C?

The three main forms of hemophilia include the following: Hemophilia A: Caused by a lack of the blood clotting factor VIII; approximately 85% of hemophiliacs have type A disease. Hemophilia B: Caused by a deficiency of factor IX. Hemophilia C: Some doctors use this term to refer to a lack of clotting factor XI.

How is Haemophilia C inherited?

Hemophilia C is also primarily inherited, but it does not follow an X-linked pattern because the mutation that causes it affects a gene found on chromosome 4 (an autosomal or non-sex chromosome). Hemophilia C, therefore, affects both genders equally.

What mutation causes hemophilia C?

Hemophilia C stems from mutations in the F11 gene, which is found on chromosome 4. Each person inherits two copies of F11 regardless of gender, meaning that the disorder affects males and females equally. However, it occurs less frequently than hemophilia A and B.

Who discovered hemophilia C?

Dr. Conrad described an inheritable bleeding disorder in several families where only males born from unaffected mothers were affected. He then called them the “bleeders.” Hemophilia, as a word, was first documented by Johann Lukas Schönlein in his dissertation at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. Dr.

How common is hemophilia C?

Hemophilia C (major form) occurs with an estimated prevalence of 1 case per 100,000 population in the United States, a rate that makes hemophilia A 10 times more common than hemophilia C.

When was hemophilia C discovered?

Factor XI (FXI) deficiency, also called hemophilia C, plasma thromboplastin antecedent deficiency and Rosenthal syndrome, was first recognized in 1953 in patients who experienced severe bleeding after dental extractions. Its incidence is estimated at 1 in 100,000 in the general population.

How is hemophilia C treated?

The best way to treat hemophilia is to replace the missing factor so that the blood can clot properly. This is typically done by injecting factor concentrates into a person’s vein. Treatment may also consist of a medication given through a vein or by mouth (as a pill or a liquid).

Why is Christmas disease called Christmas disease?

Hemophilia B is also known as Christmas disease. It is named after the first person to be diagnosed with the disorder in 1952, Stephen Christmas. As the second most common type of hemophilia, it occurs in about 1 in 25,000 male births and affects about 4,000 individuals in the United States.

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Is von Willebrand disease hemophilia C?

Hemophilia may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe, but this classification does not apply to hemophilia C/factor XI deficiency. Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a genetic bleeding disorder resulting in prolonged bleeding and varies widely in its effects.

What is factor 13 disorder?

Factor XIII deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder. Researchers have identified an inherited form and a less severe form that is acquired during a person’s lifetime. Signs and symptoms of inherited factor XIII deficiency begin soon after birth, usually with abnormal bleeding from the umbilical cord stump.

What is hemophilia A vs B?

There are two main types of inherited hemophilia: Type A, the most common type, is caused by a deficiency of factor VIII, one of the proteins that helps blood to form clots. This type is known as classic hemophilia. Type B hemophilia is caused by a deficiency of factor IX. This type is also called Christmas disease.

How is hemophilia C caused?

Hemophilia C, also known as Rosenthal syndrome, is caused by low levels of factor XI (11), another blood protein required to make a blood clot. Although associated with bleeding, hemophilia C differs from hemophilia A and B in cause and bleeding tendency.

What is factor 7 used for?

Factor VII, also called proconvertin, is one such clotting factor produced by the liver. It requires vitamin K for its production. Along with other clotting factors and blood cells, it promotes blood clotting at the site of an injury. It forms normal blood clots and closes the wound to prevent blood loss.

What is factor 2 blood disorder?

Factor II deficiency is a very rare blood clotting disorder. It results in excessive or prolonged bleeding after an injury or surgery. Factor II, also known as prothrombin, is a protein made in your liver. It plays an essential role in blood clot formation.

What is the rarest form of hemophilia?

There are several types of hemophilia, the rare bleeding disorder in which the blood fails to clot properly. Hemophilia A and B are the most common types, while hemophilia C is relatively rare.

Is von Willebrand a disease?

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a blood disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. Blood contains many proteins that help the blood clot when needed. One of these proteins is called von Willebrand factor (VWF).

What is the most common cause of Factor XI deficiency?

Most cases of factor XI deficiency are caused by mutations in the F11 gene, which provides instructions for making the factor XI protein. This protein plays a role in the coagulation cascade, which is a series of chemical reactions that forms blood clots in response to injury.

What are factor drugs?

Factor VIII is a medication used to treat and prevent bleeding in people with hemophilia A and other causes of low factor VIII. Certain preparations may also be used in those with von Willebrand’s disease.

Can you develop a blood clotting disorder later in life?

Thrombophilia can be inherited or it can be acquired later in life. Thrombophilia doesn’t cause any symptoms, so people might not even know they have it unless they have a blood clot.

How do you investigate a bleeding disorder?

Five studies are important to the diagnosis of bleeding disorders: bleeding time (BT) (Simplate), platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT).

What famous person has hemophilia?

The love of Elizabeth Taylor’s life and a Shakespearean actor for the ages, Richard Burton starred in 61 films and 30 plays — and was the first Hollywood star to reveal he had hemophilia. In fact, Burton and Taylor set up the Richard Burton Hemophilia Fund in 1964 to help find a cure for hemophilia.

Can you have hemophilia A and B?

Hemophilia A and B are inherited in an X-linked recessive genetic pattern, so males are commonly affected while females are usually carriers of the disease. Hemophilia A is caused by a deficiency of clotting Factor VIII, while hemophilia B (also called Christmas disease) results from a deficiency of Factor IX.

Why is it rare for a female to have hemophilia?

In females (who have two X chromosomes), a mutation would have to occur in both copies of the gene to cause the disorder. Because it is unlikely that females will have two altered copies of this gene, it is very rare for females to have hemophilia.

What is type B hemophilia?

Hemophilia B is a hereditary bleeding disorder caused by a lack of blood clotting factor IX. Without enough factor IX, the blood cannot clot properly to control bleeding.

What's the difference between hemophilia and von Willebrand?

What is the difference between hemophilia and VWD? While both VWD and hemophilia are bleeding disorders, they are not the same disease. While VWD affects men and women equally, hemophilia is more common in men.

How can you tell the difference between hemophilia and von Willebrand?

Unlike hemophilia, people with VWD rarely bleed into their joints. Less than 8% of patients report joint bleeding. VWD is more likely to cause easy bruising and nosebleeds. Women with VWD can have very heavy menstrual periods.

Is von Willebrand an autoimmune disease?

While the more common types of von Willebrand’s disease are inherited, it is also possible to develop the condition from an autoimmune disease such as lupus or cancer, or as a result of taking some medications. This is called acquired von Willebrand’s disease.

What is a factor 5 deficiency?

Factor V deficiency is caused by a lack of factor V. When certain blood clotting factors are low or missing, your blood does not clot properly. Factor V deficiency is rare. It may be caused by: A defective factor V gene passed down through families (inherited)

Why is Factor 9 called Christmas factor?

The clotting factor IX is also known as Christmas factor. The name is derived from the boy, Stephen Christmas. He was lacking this factor and the deficiency led him to acquire hemophilia.