Nemours hematologists (doctors who specialize in conditions of the blood) provide expert evaluation and treatment for children with a wide variety of blood disorders. Our board-certified doctors are trained in multiple areas – such as pediatrics, pediatric hematology, and oncology— and offer comprehensive outpatient and inpatient care for any of the following conditions:
Red blood cell disorders
Red blood cells (RBCs) contain the iron-rich protein hemoglobin that carries oxygen through the body. Problems with the RBCs themselves, or with their hemoglobin component, can lead to many conditions, including the following:
- iron-deficiency anemia (low iron levels that lead to decreased hemoglobin production)
- G6PD deficiency (an inherited condition in which a child lacks a certain enzyme that protects red blood cells)
- hemolytic anemia (the abnormal breakdown of RBCs)
- sickle cell disease (a hereditary condition that causes abnormally shaped red cells)
- thalassemia, or Cooley’s anemia (also an inherited condition that leads to defective hemoglobin)
- anemia due to a chronic condition (such as kidney disease or cancer) or to lead poisoning
White blood cell disorders
There are many types of white blood cells (WBCs) and they each play an important role in protecting the body from infection. Examples of situations when WBCs are low or abnormal include:
- neutropenia (a decreased amount of WBCs that may be caused by disease or chemotherapy treatment)
- leukemia (cancers that affect the cells that produce WBCs)
Platelet disorders
Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot. When a child has too few (a condition called thrombocytopenia), it can lead to easy bruising and bleeding. When a child has too many (a condition called thrombocytosis), it can cause clots in the blood vessels.
Bleeding disorders
Other blood proteins, called factors, are involved in clotting as well. Inherited conditions that cause missing or defective clotting factors can lead to bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease.
Other related disorders, including an enlarged spleen (the organ that clears worn-out RBCs and other foreign bodies from the bloodstream) or enlarged lymph nodes (tiny glands that contain infection-fighting WBCs).
Services We Offer
To provide the most integrated care for our patients, Nemours hematologists work closely with specialists from other medical areas. Among the services we provide are:
- Highly specialized blood testing and analysis in our state-of-the-art lab.
- Blood banking – This is the process that takes place in a laboratory to ensure that donated blood is safe before it is used in transfusions. Most donated blood comes from anonymous donors. However, in some cases, a child can donate blood in advance of an upcoming surgery, so that it may be given back to him or her if a transfusion is necessary. This is called autologous donation.
- Transfusions – A is a procedure in which whole blood or one of its parts is given to a patient through an intravenous line, or IV. If your child needs a transfusion, we’re pleased to offer access to an online educational program about the procedure that you can watch with your child on any computer. Created by Emmi® Kids, this easy-to-use animated program will help both you and your child better understand the transfusion process and what to expect at every step.
- Bone marrow transplant – This complex procedure involves destroying cancer or other abnormal cells and normal bone marrow and immune system cells with high-dose chemotherapy and then re-introducing healthy donor stem cells into the body. The new stem cells can rebuild a healthy blood supply and immune system. Bone marrow transplants may be used in the treatment of certain blood disorders, such as aplastic anemia (when the bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells), and some forms of cancers, such as leukemia. For more information about bone marrow transplants at Nemours, please visit Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation.
- A joint hematology/orthopedics clinic that is held four times a year. This clinic is for children with either sickle cell disease or hemophilia who have orthopedic problems related to their underlying blood disorder.
In addition to these services, we also offer a broad range of family support, including psychological counseling, financial aid services, and support groups. With the help of our dedicated staff of nurses, doctors, social workers, pediatric nurse practitioners, Child Life specialists, and other professionals, we’re committed to providing the highest quality family-centered care.