The X and Y chromosomes are called
sex chromosomes. The gene for hemophilia is carried on the X chromosome.
Hemophilia is inherited in an X-linked recessive manner. Females inherit
two X chromosomes, one from their mother and one from their father (XX). Males
inherit an X chromosome from their mother and a Y chromosome from their father
(XY). That means if a son inherits an X chromosome carrying hemophilia from his
mother, he will have hemophilia. It also means that fathers cannot pass
hemophilia on to their sons.
But because daughters have two X
chromosomes, even if they inherit the hemophilia gene from their mother, most
likely they will inherit a healthy X chromosome from their father and not have
hemophilia. A daughter who inherits an X chromosome that contains the gene for
hemophilia is called a carrier. She can pass the gene on to her children.
Hemophilia can occur in daughters, but is rare.
For a female carrier, there are four
possible outcomes for each pregnancy:
- A girl who is not a carrier
- A girl who is a carrier
- A boy without hemophilia
- A boy with hemophilia
Severity
(percentage
breakdown of overall hemophilia population by severity)
- Severe (factor levels less than 1%) represent approximately 60% of cases
- Moderate (factor levels of 1-5%) represent approximately 15% of cases
- Mild (factor levels of 6%-30%) represent approximately 25% of cases
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