A recommendation that prophylaxis be considered optimal therapy for individuals with severe hemophilia A or B (factor VIII or Factor IX levels <1%) was recently approved by the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC) of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF). MASAC further recommends that prophylactic therapy should begin prior to frequent bleeding and aim at keeping factor levels above 1% between scheduled doses. Individuals on prophylactic therapy should receive follow-up exams to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment as well as document any complications.
The NHF Board of Directors adopted this recommendation November 4, 2007 as MASAC Document #179.