DOMICILIARY DESENSITIZATION THERAPY FOR YOUNG BOYS WITH HEMOPHILIA AND FACTOR-VIII INHIBITORS

Immune tolerance was induced in five consecutive young boys with haemophilia and factor VIII inhibitors using frequent conventional doses of human factor VIII. All therapy was given at home by parents and the four youngest boys had surgically implanted central venous catheters (Port-a-Cath). Two catheters eventually became infected after 2 and 4 years respectively, otherwise the devices were trouble-free and liked by the families concerned. Regular domiciliary factor VIII therapy in pre-school children is not difficult with an aid to venous access and immune tolerance can be achieved in those developing factor VIII inhibitors.