30-1-25 
12:16 Blog News 
By Marina Economou, Associate Professor of Pediatric Hematology at the 1st Pediatric Clinic of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Head of Special Center for Bleeding Diseases of Children and Adolescents “Ippokrateio” GHT
In many patients with haemophilia, regular prophylactic therapy, that is the administration of the missing agent on specific days of the week, is applied to avoid bleeding episodes. Regardless of the prophylactic treatment of a hemorrhagic patient, specific practices can contribute to the prevention of bleeding – some of these apply to all ages and others to specific age groups.
Application of general precautionary measures
Regular exercise: Exercise strengthens muscles and can reduce the risk of bleeding in the event of an injury. Swimming is a great exercise as it strengthens all the muscle groups without putting weight on the joints.
Weight control: Excess weight burdens the joints and increases the risk of bleeding. Maintaining a good body weight through proper nutrition and regular exercise is very important for patients with congenital bleeding disorders
Oral hygiene: Good oral health reduces the risk of bleeding. Brushing teeth twice daily, using dental floss and drinking enough fluoridated water is recommended. In addition, regular dental monitoring is required to identify and treat any dental or periodontal injuries in a timely manner.
Apply precautions according to age
Infants and toddlers: Strict application of classical precautions for these ages is required, such as placing a band on the baby bed for when the baby is awake, placing shields on the sharp corners of the furniture, placing protective handrails on the stairs, laying carpets on the floor where the baby is playing etc.
The use of plastic and textile toys and the avoidance of wooden or metal toys, which are heavier and can cause injury, are recommended.
As the baby begins to crawl and then take its first steps, special knee and elbow joint protectors are required to prevent traumatic hemarthrosis. As body weight and height are rapidly changing at these ages and in order to reduce the cost of specialized commercial patches, it is suggested that at the areas corresponding to elbows and knees, an inner pocket on the baby’s clothes should be created, where a piece of baby diaper can be fitted.
The use of helmets in children who are highly mobile and adventurous is recommended to reduce the risk of cranial injury and cerebral hemorrhage.
School and adolescence: As the child with haemophilia grows older, it is a good idea to start participating in the treatment of their disease. Thus, depending on their age, may initially assist and then carry out themselves the process of infusion of the anti-hemophilic agent. In addition to the psychological benefit of boosting the self-esteem of the young patient, applying this practice has the enormous practical advantage of being able to administer the agent early in the event of injury, wherever the patient is located – near or far from their family.
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