CCBD: General Hematology
The general hematology program directs the care of children with blood conditions other than sickle cell disease and hereditary bleeding disorders. These include acquired bleeding disorders such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), anemias of various types, neutropenia and other leukocyte disorders, and numerous other hematologic problems that result in consultations and referrals from hundreds of primary care physicians and other specialists. Other special interests and expertise among staff specialists include hereditary spherocytosis, aplastic anemia and bone marrow failure syndromes such as Diamond Blackfan anemia and Fanconi anemia.
Program Highlights
- An erythrocytapheresis program for sickle cell patients, including a novel isovolemic dilution procedure that markedly reduces iron loading.
- A new technique (Ferriscan®) using MRI to quantify iron accumulation in the liver and optimize iron chelation in children with transfusioned iron overload.
- Development of an international center of excellence in childhood ITP patient care and education.
- In 2007, 366 new patients were seen by the hematology program at Children's.
- One of four Diamond Blackfan Anemia National Resource Centers in the United States funded by the CDC to support education, outreach and research.
Research
- Participation in the NIH-supported Hemostasis-Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Clinical Trials Network in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma.
- Participation in the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network as an affiliate of Children's Hospital Boston.
- Conduct a multifaceted research study aimed at exploring possible vascular complications of splenectomy and risk of thrombosis in patients with hereditary spherocytosis.
- Participation in Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) Severe Chronic Neutropenia Registries and other national registries.
- Multiple research projects involving childhood ITP aimed at determining bleeding risk, quantitative assessment of bleeding manifestations and side effects of therapy.
