Prophylactic treatment for hemophilia A patients: a pilot study.

Prophylactic treatment with factor VIII concentrate was given to six hemophilia A boys whose factor VIII:C ranged from 1% to 3.5% at Ramathibodi Hospital. The age ranged from 11 to 16 years with the median age of 12 years old. Each patient received factor VIII concentrate twice a week in the dosage of 8-10 unit per kg for one year. During the prophylactic period, bleeding episodes seldom occurred. They did not need hospitalization. The absence from school was reduced. They became muscular from regular daily exercise. They could join the activity at school and lived a near normal life. The patients and family were very happy since they did not have to worry about bleeding. No adverse effect was found. The only constraint was the cost. It cost 180,000 baht (US$ 7,200) per year or 15,000 baht (US$ 600) per month for a 25 kg hemophiliac boy.