Haemophilia in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

Comment is made of the few cases of haemophilia reported among mixed and coloured populations, and the literature relevant to this is briefly surveyed. A brief account is given of the history of haemophilia and its recent separation from other coagulation defects. The main theories of blood coagulation are briefly presented. Three cases of haemophilia occurring in Jamaicans of predominantly Negro ancestry are presented with clinical and haematological data. Investigations with the thromboblastin generation test leave no doubt that these are bona fide haemophiliacs. Certain points in connection with the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of haemophilia are discussed. Despite the few case4s of haemophilia described in coloured populations, it is felt that the incidence of the disease in these racial groups is much higher than had been thought. Once medical facilities become more widely available in underdeveloped territories the incidence of haemophilia will probably be found to be equal or nearly equal to that found among the Teutonic races of Europe and America. (AU)