Treatment of children with haemophilia in Europe: a survey of 20 centres in 16 countries

A survey was made of the current status of treatment of haemophilic boys at 20 centres in 16 European countries and includes approximately 1500 of the estimated 6500 haemophiliacs in the participating countries. Many mild hae mophiliacs are not seen, or seen infrequently, at haemophilia centres and t his requires study. Nine of 18 centres provide continuous prophylaxis to 80 -100% of their patients, five centres provide it to 55-80% and the remainin g four centres to 15-40% of the boys. The median dose given was 6240 U kg(- 1) year(-1) (range 3120-7800). Four centres administered only recombinant c oncentrates to children with severe haemophilia A, while seven centres admi nistered recombinant concentrates to 75-90% and the remaining centres to le ss than 50% of the boys (two centres < 10%). When asked for the choice of c oncentrate for a newly diagnosed boy with severe haemophilia A, all but one centre preferred recombinant concentrate. Most boys below 6 years received concentrates via a peripheral vein but three centres preferred a central v enous line for 80-100% of the boys. Thirteen of 18 centres applied home tre atment to 84-100% of the boys and the remaining five centres to 57-77% of t he boys.