Bleeding and Clotting Disorder Care

Blood is essential for our bodies to function, so it can be scary to be told that there is something wrong with your child's blood cells. Know that your child is in good hands: our pediatric hematologists specialize in diagnosing and treating children's blood disorders. We're proud to offer a federally recognized comprehensive hemophilia treatment center and multidisciplinary clinics for children with bleeding disorders and with sickle cell disease. Together, we'll create a care plan specific to your child's unique needs.

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Conditions we treat

Select a condition to learn more.

Anemia is fairly common in kids and there are many potential causes. Some have simple fixes and others are more serious. If your child has iron deficiency anemia, your pediatrician is a great place to start. For others, when anemia is caused by serious, chronic conditions, your child may need expert care. Our pediatric hematologists are nationally recognized and can help identify the cause and treatment options.

Anemia indicates a low level of healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. This is one of the most common blood disorders in children. Many kids have no symptoms, or symptoms might include fatigue, irritability, dizziness, lightheadedness and decreased appetite or energy. Treatment depends on the specific cause.

Your child's care begins here

Anemia is one of the more common blood disorders, but when it affects your child, finding the right treatment becomes your primary focus.

Our pediatric hematology specialists bring years of experience to the treatment of childhood anemia. We can recommend specific medications if vitamin or iron deficiency is a problem. If your child's condition is more serious, we offer the latest transfusion techniques and a dedicated bone marrow transplant team for kids. We can help your child avoid potential complications from anemia, so he or she can enjoy a more active and healthy life.

Treatments we provide

Blood/bone marrow transplant

Blood/bone marrow transplantation can use stem cells to restore blood cell production. Our pediatric blood and bone marrow transplant program is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. This FACT designation means that we meet rigorous national quality standards for patient care and cell therapy treatments.

Blood transfusion

Some chronic forms of anemia may require blood transfusions to increase the red blood cell count.

Supplements

Some children with anemia may need special iron supplements. These are administered in liquid or pill form, or, rarely, by infusions in our clinic.

Anemia is fairly common in kids and there are many potential causes. Some have simple fixes and others are more serious. If your child has iron deficiency anemia, your pediatrician is a great place to start. For others, when anemia is caused by serious, chronic conditions, your child may need expert care. Our pediatric hematologists are nationally recognized and can help identify the cause and treatment options.

Anemia indicates a low level of healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. This is one of the most common blood disorders in children. Many kids have no symptoms, or symptoms might include fatigue, irritability, dizziness, lightheadedness and decreased appetite or energy. Treatment depends on the specific cause.

Your child's care begins here

Anemia is one of the more common blood disorders, but when it affects your child, finding the right treatment becomes your primary focus.

Our pediatric hematology specialists bring years of experience to the treatment of childhood anemia. We can recommend specific medications if vitamin or iron deficiency is a problem. If your child's condition is more serious, we offer the latest transfusion techniques and a dedicated bone marrow transplant team for kids. We can help your child avoid potential complications from anemia, so he or she can enjoy a more active and healthy life.

Treatments we provide

Blood/bone marrow transplant

Blood/bone marrow transplantation can use stem cells to restore blood cell production. Our pediatric blood and bone marrow transplant program is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. This FACT designation means that we meet rigorous national quality standards for patient care and cell therapy treatments.

Blood transfusion

Some chronic forms of anemia may require blood transfusions to increase the red blood cell count.

Supplements

Some children with anemia may need special iron supplements. These are administered in liquid or pill form, or, rarely, by infusions in our clinic.

Hemophilia can be mild, moderate or severe, but in all cases, having expert hemophilia care is essential. As part of a national network of hemophilia treatment centers, our pediatric hematologists can offer you and your child the latest knowledge and most current treatments. This network joins us with doctors and scientists from all over the country, researching new ways to reduce hemophilia cases.

Hemophilia is a lifelong genetic condition in which a person's blood does not clot properly. The best treatment plan will vary with the individual child, and promising new therapies for hemophilia are being developed all the time.

Your child's care begins here

Parents of kids with hemophilia who've come to us know they can depend on our expert children's hematology team. We've worked with hundreds of families to help them live successfully with hemophilia.

While there is currently no cure for hemophilia, we help children successfully manage their condition. Our hematologists and nurses help parents prevent and treat bleeding episodes and provide lots of support for questions and concerns.

Treatments we provide

Factor replacement therapy

Factor replacement therapy promotes clotting and prevents long-term joint damage due to bleeding.

The severity of sickle cell disease can vary from child to child. With the help of our multidisciplinary clinic for sickle cell disease, we hope to keep your child healthy and out of the hospital. From helping your child prevent complications to being at his or her side when pain flares up, we are your team.

Sickle cell disease results in the red blood cells becoming sickle-shaped (curved) rather than disc-shaped. This can cause painful episodes, serious infections, chronic anemia, and injury to body organs. The disease is hereditary, and most common in people of African and Middle Eastern heritage. With treatment, children with sickle cell disease can hope to live more active and healthy lives.

Your child's care begins here

Treatment for sickle cell disease involves preventing the most serious, long-term complications of the disease. Your child's multidisciplinary care team includes a hematologist (blood disorder specialist) and other pediatric specialists when needed. Together, we'll determine the best course of treatment, based on your child's age, health issues and medical history with specific medicines, procedures and therapies. We can also provide neurological evaluations, education, interventions and counseling.

Even without a cure, kids with sickle cell can lead more normal and active lives. We focus on managing pain and treating the symptoms with medicine and other therapies.

Treatments we provide

Blood transfusion program

A blood transfusion treats many sickle cell symptoms such as anemia, chronic pain and acute chest syndrome. In rare cases, a transfusion can prevent a stroke.

Hydroxyurea

This is a promising medication to help reduce the frequency of pain and acute chest syndrome. It may also help reduce the need for blood transfusions.

Our care team

Our pediatric hematology/oncology team is led by a dedicated group of board-certified physicians with expertise in pediatric hematology/oncology, internal medicine and pediatrics. As a teaching hospital, physicians are sometimes accompanied by fellows, residents or medical students. We work closely with colleagues from many specialties across Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.