Kids With Hemophilia Should Be Active, But Avoid Risky Sports: Study

Non-contact activities safest, allowing children to enjoy exercise, experts say

October 9, 2012 RSS Feed Print

Exercise is good for these children, another expert said.

"The bottom line is moderate exercise is very important and helps kids with hemophilia develop stronger muscles and joints and is highly recommended, but vigorous activity is the question mark," said Dr. Ziad Khatib, a pediatric hematologist at Miami Children's Hospital. "If somebody loves a sport, I do not recommend that they abandon it because with appropriate prevention, they can do well."

Limits do exist, Khatib noted. "Children with severe hemophilia will never be on a professional or college level football or basketball team," he said. "Most will be happy with mild to moderate exercise for fun."

More information

Learn more about hemophilia at the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.