Christmas Factor (Noun)
Meaning
Coagulation factor whose absence is associated with hemophilia B.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Christmas factor is a coagulation factor whose absence is associated with hemophilia B, a genetic disorder that affects the blood's ability to clot.
- The Christmas factor is also known as factor IX, and it plays a crucial role in the coagulation cascade that helps to stop bleeding when a blood vessel is injured.
- People with hemophilia B often require regular infusions of Christmas factor to help manage their condition and prevent excessive bleeding.
- The Christmas factor was first identified in 1952 by a British physician who was studying a patient named Stephen Christmas, from whom the factor got its name.
- Deficiencies in the Christmas factor can lead to prolonged bleeding, joint pain, and other complications, making it essential to diagnose and treat hemophilia B promptly.