Hemophilia A and B are bleeding disorders inherited in an X‐linked recessive fashion, caused by deficiencies in factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX), respectively. It was initially thought that hemophilia was caused by abnormalities of the vascular system, and it was not until the late 1800s and early 1900s that a deficiency of a component of the blood was thought to be responsible. All racial groups are equally affected by hemophilia with an incidence of 1 in 5000 live male births for hemophilia A, and 1 in 30,000 live male births for hemophilia B. The clinical symptoms and signs of these two disorders are identical in presentation, and specific clotting factor assays are required to distinguish them. With modern management and the ready availability of clotting factors, children with hemophilia today can look forward to a normal life expectancy.