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Signs & Symptoms

If parents are unaware of a family history of hemophilia, they are unlikely to notice any symptoms of hemophilia in their baby. Because babies are somewhat immobile, they usually do not sustain injuries that lead to bleeding; however, about 30% of male babies with hemophilia will bleed excessively from circumcision–giving the first indication of a bleeding disorder.

Often, parents will first notice symptoms of hemophilia when their child becomes a toddler and injuries are more common. For the toddler with hemophilia, excessive bruises may appear, and will sometimes be raised, often appearing on the stomach and chest or buttocks and back. Mouth bleeds are common as well, because young children tend to bite down on their lips or tongue.

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of hemophilia

Suspicions about hemophilia are often raised during routine dental work, when prolonged bleeding results. (Read Jenny’s story about how her son was diagnosed after oral surgery.)

Prolonged nosebleeds are another warning sign. A parent could also notice that a child who is experiencing a muscle or joint bleed–the most common types of bleeds–does not want to move the affected area because of the pain.

Learn how hemophilia is diagnosed.