What condition is characterized by a deficiency in clotting factors, leading to sustained bleeding?

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency in clotting factors, particularly factor VIII (in hemophilia A) or factor IX (in hemophilia B). This deficiency impairs the blood's ability to clot properly, leading to prolonged bleeding even from minor injuries. Patients with hemophilia may experience spontaneous bleeding episodes, especially in muscles and joints, and may also experience excessive bleeding during surgery or after injury.

While Von Willebrand disease also involves clotting issues due to a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor, hemophilia is specifically defined by the lack of certain clotting factors. Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are primarily disorders of hemoglobin that affect red blood cells and are not mainly characterized by issues with the clotting cascade. Thus, hemophilia is the correct answer as it directly ties to a deficiency in clotting factors resulting in sustained bleeding.