Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Factor IX Deficiency - Hemophilia B
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Hemophilia B is a genetic disease. The disease cannot be prevented in a person who is born with this gene. Genetic screening can tell individuals if they are carriers of the disease. Since hemophilia B is a treatable disease, genetic counseling before or during pregnancy can be helpful to couples with a family history of the disease.
An unborn fetus can also be tested for hemophilia. The testing can be done as early as the first trimester, with chorionic villi sampling or amniocentesis. These tests carry a small risk of causing a miscarriage.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Long term effects of hemophilia B are usually only seen with moderate to severe disease. Possibilities include:
What are the risks to others?
This is not a contagious disease. Someone with hemophilia or a family history of hemophilia may find genetic counseling helpful. This will determine the risk of passing on the abnormal gene to the children or grandchildren.