Low Dose Factor VIII Prophylaxis in Hemophilia: Indian Perspective

Important complications of hemophilia are bleeding and joint deformity. Episodic treatment of hemophilia with Factor VIII arrests bleeding but not joint deformity. Thus there is a need to administer Factor VIII prophylactically to prevent bleeding and joint deformity. Apart from high dose prophylaxis practised in developing countries, low dose prophylaxis with 10-15 IU/ kg body weight twice/thrice a week is found to be quite effective in resource limited tropical country like India. Significant reduction in musculo-skeletal, visceral bleeding and joint deformity has been observed from various centres in India. Country wide awareness, including at district level, has happened now in India. Factor VIII is more freely supplied by Govt. agencies n o w.