Hematology & BMT

Common Hematological conditions that affect children:

Various Hematological Disorders that are seen in kids include:

• Anemia: The condition is marked by a decrease in the child’s hemoglobin levels which drastically impacts the circulation of oxygen throughout the body, giving rise to serious complications. It affects nearly 40 per cent of children lying in the age group of 6 to 59 months.
• Thalassemia: It is a genetic condition passed down from the parents to the children and is characterized by the insufficient production of hemoglobin, which is incapable of carrying out its functions efficiently. The severity can vary from one child to another. Around 100,000 children are diagnosed with the condition every year
• Sickle Cell Disease: The inherited condition is marked by a defect in the shape of the red blood cells which affects their ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. These sickle-shaped cells can stick together, and obstruct the blood vessels giving rise to immense pain
• Hemophilia: It is a bleeding disorder characterized by the inability of the blood to form clots, resulting in heavy bleeding and frequent bruising. The condition is usually inherited and can range from mild to severe depending on the quantity of clotting factors present in the blood. In extreme cases, it can also lead to spontaneous bleeding.
• Leukemia: It is the most common malignancy seen in kids and accounts for 1 out of every 3 cases of childhood cancer. It targets the white blood cells, drastically impacting the child’s immune mechanism. The most common types are acute lymphatic leukemia(ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
• Neutropenia: The condition is marked by a drastic drop in the levels of neutrophils in the child’s body, which is a type of white blood cell. As a result of this, the child’s immunity is severely compromised and they are at increased risk of infection. A child is said to have neutropenia if the neutrophil count is lower than 1500.
• Aplastic Anemia: The condition is quite rare and marked by the inability of the bone marrow to produce the essential components of blood, i.e. red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It may be caused by known factors or the condition may be idiopathic

When should you consider seeing our experts?

The symptoms associated with blood disorders vary widely depending on the type of disorder and its severity. There are, however, some classic symptoms that may indicate the prevalence of a hematological condition and call for the need for proper medical evaluation and treatment.

You should consider seeing our expert if your little one presents with any of the following:

• If the child is getting tired more often
• If the child is dizzy
• If the child skin seems pale
• If the child heartbeat is too fast
• If the child is falling short of breath
• If the child is having frequent and heavy nosebleeds
• If the child develops bruises very often

Common diagnostic procedures used by our team

Our experts use a variety of advanced interventions for diagnosing children who are presenting with the symptoms of hematological disorders. Physical examination will be done followed by the assessment of the child’s medical history. Based on these, further tests may be recommended.

Common diagnostic interventions include:

• Blood assessments
• Hemoglobin electrophoresis
• Genetic testing
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy

We also offer prenatal testing and screening for newborn screening for babies who are at a high risk of developing blood disorders owing to inherited genetic abnormalities.

Treatments for Pediatric Hematology and BMT:

Our facility provides a comprehensive spectrum of pediatric hematological treatments and interventions. These are some examples:

• Autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation are available through our specialist BMT program. To ensure the best outcomes for our young patients, we have a dedicated transplant unit and a team of skilled doctors.
• Chemotherapy: We offer individualized chemotherapy programs based on the type and severity of the condition. Our team continuously evaluates treatment responses and addresses any adverse effects that may occur.
• Transfusion Therapy: We provide blood and blood product transfusions to treat anemia, bleeding disorders, and other illnesses that necessitate the administration of blood components.
• Targeted Medicines: For specific hematological diseases, we use targeted medicines such as monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors to improve therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects.
• Immunotherapy: The treatment aims at stimulating the immune response of a child, enabling their body to fight various blood disorders and malignancies like leukemia