Christmas factor

Christmas Factor also known as Factor IX is a protein that plays a crucial role in the coagulation process, which is the process of blood clotting. It was discovered in 1952 by Dr. R.G. Macfarlane in the Christmas season, hence the name 'Christmas Factor'. The deficiency of this factor leads to a rare bleeding disorder known as Hemophilia B or Christmas disease.

Discovery

The Christmas Factor was discovered by Dr. R.G. Macfarlane in 1952 while he was studying a patient named Stephen Christmas who was suffering from a rare bleeding disorder. The disorder was later named Hemophilia B or Christmas disease after the patient.

Function

The Christmas Factor is a part of the coagulation cascade, a series of reactions that ultimately lead to the formation of a blood clot. It is activated by Factor XI (or the contact factor) in the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. The activated form (Factor IXa) then forms a complex with Factor VIII, calcium ions and phospholipids to activate Factor X. The activation of Factor X is a crucial step in the coagulation cascade as it leads to the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, which then converts fibrinogen to fibrin, forming a blood clot.

Hemophilia B

Deficiency of the Christmas Factor leads to a rare bleeding disorder known as Hemophilia B or Christmas disease. It is less common than Hemophilia A and is characterized by prolonged oozing after injuries, tooth extractions or surgery and, in severe cases, spontaneous bleeding into joints and muscles. Hemophilia B is a genetic disorder that is passed from mother to son.

Treatment

The treatment for Hemophilia B involves replacing the deficient Factor IX with concentrates of clotting factor IX that are made from donated human blood or produced synthetically. These treatments can be administered at home and have significantly improved the quality of life for people with Hemophilia B.

See Also

• Coagulation
• Hemophilia B
• Factor VIII
• Factor X
• Factor XI