The History of Hemophilia and Its Evolution Toward Preventive Care

DDx

About 40 years ago a mother brought her 6-month-old child into the hospital. He was covered in bruises. Dr. Victor Blanchette, a pediatric hematologist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, met the patient that day and, following a severe hemophilia diagnosis, has treated the patient ever since. Dr. Blanchette recounts how during the patient’s childhood in the 80s, the approach to treating hemophilia was reactive, not proactive. This meant that normal childhood activities could lead to devastating bleeds. During this episode, we walk through the history of hemophilia and how its evolution toward preventive care has had an incredible impact on this patient and so many others.