How is hemophilia B treated?

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Multiple Choice

How is hemophilia B treated?

Hemophilia B is caused by a deficiency of coagulation factor IX, so the most effective treatment is to replace the missing factor directly. Purified factor IX concentrate provides the exact protein that's lacking, restoring the intrinsic pathway of coagulation and allowing proper clot formation. This targeted replacement can be dosed to achieve specific factor IX activity levels and is used both for treating bleeds and for routine prophylaxis. Desmopressin increases release of stored factor VIII and von Willebrand factor, which does not address the missing factor IX. Vitamin K helps activate several vitamin K–dependent coagulation factors, but it does not supply the defective factor IX in congenital deficiency. Fresh frozen plasma contains all clotting factors, including IX, but it delivers it in a much larger volume and with less precise dosing and greater risk, making it less ideal than a specific factor IX concentrate.

Hemophilia B is caused by a deficiency of coagulation factor IX, so the most effective treatment is to replace the missing factor directly. Purified factor IX concentrate provides the exact protein that's lacking, restoring the intrinsic pathway of coagulation and allowing proper clot formation. This targeted replacement can be dosed to achieve specific factor IX activity levels and is used both for treating bleeds and for routine prophylaxis.

Desmopressin increases release of stored factor VIII and von Willebrand factor, which does not address the missing factor IX. Vitamin K helps activate several vitamin K–dependent coagulation factors, but it does not supply the defective factor IX in congenital deficiency. Fresh frozen plasma contains all clotting factors, including IX, but it delivers it in a much larger volume and with less precise dosing and greater risk, making it less ideal than a specific factor IX concentrate.

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