Hemophilia occurs when your body lacks one of several clot-forming proteins called clotting factors. The result is prolonged bleeding.

Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder characterized by a deficiency of selected proteins in your blood-clotting system. Clotting is the process by which your blood changes from a liquid to a solid state in order to stop bleeding.

The clotting process makes use of blood particles called platelets and clot-forming proteins called clotting factors. Your blood has 13 clotting factors, identified by roman numerals, that are involved in the clotting process.

Hemophilia occurs in three types — A, B and C — depending on which clotting factor is deficient. All types can cause prolonged bleeding. If you have hemophilia and you have a cut, you'll bleed for a longer time than if your blood clotted normally. Small cuts usually aren't much of a problem. The greater problem is deep internal bleeding and bleeding into joints.

Coping skills

If you have hemophilia, wear a medical alert bracelet to let medical personnel know of your condition and the type of clotting factor that's best for you in case of an emergency.

These other tips can help you and your child cope with hemophilia:

• Let people know. Be sure to inform anyone who will be taking care of your child — a baby sitter, workers at your child-care center, relatives, friends and teachers — about your child's condition. Because it's also OK to let your child engage in noncontact organized sports, be sure to let coaches know, too.

• Comfort your child. Stay calm and reassure your child during injections and infusions. Encourage and praise your child when the treatment is complete.