Pediatric Hematology

At Medical Park, our Department of Pediatric Hematology is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of blood disorders and cancers that occur in children. Pediatric hematology is a medical specialty that focuses on blood and bone marrow disorders in children, including common conditions such as nutritional anemias and inherited disorders like thalassemia and hemophilia, as well as malignancies such as leukemia and other rare pediatric hematologic diseases.

By working closely with Pediatric Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Pediatric Surgery, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiology, our specialists provide coordinated, multidisciplinary care tailored to the physical and emotional needs of each child, ensuring safe and effective treatment in a child-friendly environment.

Common Pediatric Blood Disorders

Some of the main conditions treated in pediatric hematology include:

Nutritional Anemias

Anemia occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to tissues. Nutritional anemias, the most common forms of anemia worldwide, often result from deficiencies in iron or vitamin B12, though deficiencies in zinc, copper, or folic acid can also contribute. Symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, brittle nails and hair, cold hands and feet, headaches, dizziness, irritability, and cracks or sores at the corners of the mouth. Diagnosis is made through blood tests, and treatment typically involves dietary supplements and tailored nutrition plans.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

ALL is the most common childhood cancer, affecting the blood and bone marrow. Symptoms include easy bruising or bleeding, high fever, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, petechiae (small skin hemorrhages), bone pain, and painless swelling in the neck, armpits, or groin. Diagnosis requires blood tests and bone marrow biopsy, and treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or stem cell transplantation.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

AML is a type of bone marrow cancer. Symptoms include fever, respiratory difficulties, bruising, petechiae, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Diagnosis is confirmed via blood and bone marrow tests, and treatment typically includes chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and targeted drug therapies.

Aplastic Anemia

A rare disorder where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells, aplastic anemia may require immunosuppressive therapy or stem cell transplantation. Symptoms often resemble other blood disorders, and diagnosis relies on blood and bone marrow tests.

Thalassemia (Mediterranean Anemia)

A genetic disorder, thalassemia varies in severity from mild anemia to life-threatening complications affecting growth and vital organs. Diagnosis may involve laboratory and genetic tests. Treatment depends on disease severity and can include blood transfusions, stem cell transplantation, or splenectomy.

Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder caused by clotting factor deficiencies. Symptoms include prolonged bleeding, particularly in joints, which can lead to pain and reduced mobility. Diagnosis is made with laboratory tests, and treatment focuses on bleeding control through medication and preventive care.

Pediatric Hematology Treatment at Medical Park

After thorough evaluation in our Pediatric Hematology outpatient clinics, individualized treatment plans are developed. Key treatment options include:

Chemotherapy

Used primarily in cancer treatment, chemotherapy employs cytotoxic drugs to target and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. At Medical Park, daily chemotherapy infusions and necessary blood transfusions are administered in our day-patient chemotherapy unit. All chemotherapy agents are prepared under sterile conditions in HEPA-filtered preparation cabinets by experienced nurses to ensure patient safety.

Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy uses high-dose radiation to control or eliminate cancer cells. Administered by specialist radiation oncologists, it is particularly effective for tumors associated with blood disorders.

Bone Marrow (Stem Cell) Transplantation

For certain hematologic conditions, including leukemias, bone marrow transplantation restores normal blood cell production by transferring healthy stem cells from a matched donor. Donors can be fully matched siblings, unrelated donors, or cord blood from tissue-compatible newborns. Pre-transplant conditioning suppresses the patient’s immune system, and procedures are performed in a sterile environment to maximize safety.

Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation at Medical Park

Medical Park’s six-bed, fully HEPA-filtered Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit offers child-specific protocols tailored to the disease type, stage, and prior treatments. Our center is accredited by the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), ensuring high-quality transplantation care.

All cases are reviewed in our council, where Pediatric Hematologists and Oncologists collaborate with Radiation Oncologists, Pediatric Surgeons, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiology specialists to determine the most effective treatment strategy for each patient.

At Medical Park, all medical services are provided by experienced physicians with academic titles, ensuring children receive expert, multidisciplinary care in a child-friendly environment.

This content was developed by the Medical Park Editorial Board and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.