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Pediatric Blood Disorders and Hematology Care

Blood disorders affect how the blood works in the body. These conditions may involve red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, blood vessels, the lymphatic system or bone marrow. At Banner Children’s, our pediatric hematology team has the experience and compassion to diagnose and treat a wide range of blood disorders in kids of all ages. 

What is pediatric hematology? 

Pediatric hematology focuses on the care of blood diseases in children. Some blood disorders are mild. Others require ongoing treatment or may be life-threatening. Our team provides support for your child’s medical needs, comfort and daily life. 

Types of blood disorders we treat 

Our pediatric hematologists care for non-cancerous and cancerous blood conditions, including: 

Benign (non-cancerous) blood disorders 

  • Anemias 
  • Neutropenias 
  • Thrombocytopenias 
  • Bone marrow failure disorders, including Fanconi anemia 
  • Hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemias 
  • Red blood cell enzyme deficiencies, such as G6PD 
  • Hereditary spherocytosis 
  • Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) 
  • Bleeding and clotting disorders, such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease 
  • Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) 
  • Polycythemias and thrombocythemias 
  • Hemochromatosis 

Cancerous blood disorders 

  • Leukemias (acute and chronic) 
  • Lymphomas 
  • Histiocytosis (LCH) 
  • Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) 
  • Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) 

Learn more about how we care for pediatric cancer. 

Signs and symptoms to watch for 

Blood disorders can appear at any age. Talk to your pediatrician if you notice: 

  • Pale skin 
  • Easy bruising or bleeding 
  • Fatigue or weakness 
  • Fever 
  • Dizziness 
  • Bone or joint pain 
  • Headaches 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Delayed growth 

Many symptoms can be caused by other conditions. Early care helps your child stay healthy and active. 

How blood disorders are diagnosed 

Some conditions may be found early through newborn screening. Others may appear later in childhood. 

To find the cause of symptoms, your child’s provider may recommend: 

  • Blood tests 
  • Bone marrow biopsy 
  • Imaging tests such as ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan or MRI 

We work as a coordinated care team to confirm the diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan. 

Treatment options for pediatric blood disorders 

Treatment depends on the type of blood disorder and your child’s needs. Options may include: 

  • Blood transfusions to replace or support blood cell levels 
  • Chemotherapy to treat cancers like leukemia 
  • Bone marrow or stem cell transplant to help the body make healthy blood cells 
  • Immunotherapy to help the immune system destroy harmful cells 
  • Medications for pain, symptom relief or targeting the disease 

Throughout treatment, we focus on helping children feel supported physically and emotionally. 

Care you can count on 

You can depend on Banner Children’s for complete hematology care - from diagnosis through long-term follow-up. If you have concerns about your child’s symptoms or risk factors, start by talking with your pediatrician or requesting a referral.