What is the treatment for hemophilia A?

The treatment for hemophilia A primarily involves the replacement of factor VIII, which is the clotting factor that is deficient or absent in individuals with this condition. Administering exogenous factor VIII helps to ensure that the blood can clot properly, thus preventing and managing bleeding episodes. This replacement therapy can be provided as needed for acute bleeding or on a regular schedule as prophylaxis to prevent bleeds in patients with severe hemophilia A.

Desmopressin is typically not characteristic of hemophilia A treatment; however, it can be used in mild cases as it works by stimulating the release of the body's own stored factor VIII, making it more applicable to mild hemophilia or von Willebrand disease rather than the severe form. Exogenous factor IX is relevant to hemophilia B, which is a different condition involving a deficiency of factor IX and would not be effective in treating hemophilia A. Folic acid supplements have no role in the treatment of hemophilia, as they are generally associated with preventing or treating types of anemia, not bleeding disorders. Therefore, the appropriate therapy for hemophilia A involves the use of exogenous factor VIII to manage and treat the condition effectively.