YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH CARE/BLOOD DISORDERS: BRUISING AND HAEMOPHILIA

BRUISING

Toddlers and school age children forever seem to have bruises, especially on the shins, as a result of their everyday activities. Their high energy levels and ceaseless activity mean that they often bump into things or fall over, thus bruising various parts of their body. Children with poor co-ordination may have more than their fair share of bruises. Bruises are usually just a normal part of childhood and are no cause for concern.

In very rare cases, bruising is due to an underlying blood disorder, such as a deficiency in the clotting mechanism. You may want to see a doctor if your child seems to bruise more readily than other children, or has bruises all over his body, or if you have a family history of blood disorders.

HAEMOPHILIA

This is an inherited bleeding disorder seen almost exclusively in boys. It is due to a deficiency of one of the substances in the blood (Factor VIII) which is essential for the clotting process. Boys affected with the condition usually present at an early age with bleeding (for example, recurrent nosebleeds which are difficult to stop) or easy and extensive bruising after seemingly trivial injuries.

Treatment of this condition is usually in a specialised unit. It involves the administration of Factor VIII after bleeding episodes. A child with haemophilia always needs to avoid contact sports.

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