Hemophilia and Sports

Abstract

In brief A 15-year-old boy with severe hemophilia who had played soccer the previous year was denied continued participation following a screening examination by a different physician. Athletes with hemophilia, such as this boy, can pose a difficult dilemma to physicians, who might inappropriately advise them to participate in—or to avold—sports. Hemophiliac athletes should be advised about sports participation only after their physicians review the type and severity of hemophilia. Usually individuals with hemophilia may participate safely in noncontact sports, but contact sports should be avoided.