Pediatric Hematology

What is Pediatric Hematology?

Hematology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of a range of blood-related disorders, including anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, thrombosis, bleeding disorders, and immunologic problems. Pediatric hematology is a combination of pediatrics and hematology, the specialty medical branch that focuses on children. Pediatric hematologists diagnose, treat, and care for children to maintain and improve their health. Pediatric hematology also covers blood transfusion needs, blood clotting, immune system problems, and other hematologic issues.

Diagnostic Methods in Pediatric Hematology and Florence's Approach

The Pediatric Hematology unit uses the latest technologies and diagnostic methods of modern medicine to protect children's health and effectively treat diseases. Florence Hospital is a healthcare institution that provides services in the field of Pediatric Hematology and aims to maximize children's health. Specialist Pediatric Hematology doctors work in modern laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and adopt a personalized approach to each patient.

Diseases Treated in Pediatric Hematology

Pediatric Hematology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of health problems related to children's blood and bone marrow. Doctors working in this field specialize in issues such as blood diseases in children, blood cancers, anemia, platelet problems, coagulation disorders and genetic blood diseases. Diseases treated in the Pediatric Hematology unit include:

• Leukemia: Leukemia is a type of cancer in which blood cells in the bone marrow multiply abnormally. It is one of the most common types of cancer in children and can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplants.
• Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a type of cancer that can occur in the lymph nodes or other parts of the lymph system. Treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
• Childhood Anemias: Pediatric Hematology deals with childhood anemias such as iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, and folic acid deficiency anemia. These diseases can cause inadequate red blood cell production or functional problems in children.
• Bleeding Disorders: Abnormalities in the platelet count can lead to thrombosis or bleeding problems. Pediatric Hematology focuses on bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and thrombocytopenia. These diseases can cause the blood to clot more slowly than normal or cause excessive bleeding.
• Immunodeficiency Diseases: Immunodeficiency diseases refer to conditions in which the immune system is weak. The immune system can be controlled with supportive treatments. Immunodeficiency diseases include primary immunodeficiencies, cellular immunodeficiencies, humoral immunodeficiencies, and combined immunodeficiencies.
• Bone Marrow Diseases: Pediatric hematology focuses on bone marrow disorders such as aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, Fanconi anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), lymphomas, myeloproliferative disorders, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

What are the procedures and examinations performed in pediatric hematology?

Pediatric hematology uses various diagnostic methods and tests to identify health problems related to children's blood and bone marrow. Procedures and tests performed in the pediatric hematology unit are as follows:

• Blood Tests: Blood tests are used to measure the composition of a child's blood and the number of blood cells. These tests examine parameters such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell and platelet counts.
• Bone Marrow Aspiration: Used to take a sample of bone marrow and is used in conjunction with a bone marrow biopsy to examine the bone marrow cells and their structure.
• Bone Marrow Biopsy: A bone marrow biopsy is used to examine the cells inside the bone marrow. A sample of the bone marrow is taken with a needle and sent for laboratory testing. This method helps to accurately diagnose cancer or blood disorders.
• Genetic Tests: Genetic tests are used to identify hereditary blood disorders. These tests are important for diagnosing genetic diseases.
• Radiological Examinations: Some blood diseases may require radiological examinations such as ultrasound, MRI or X-ray. These imaging methods help assess the extent of disease spread.
• Immunology Tests: Immunology tests are used to detect and monitor immune system problems. These tests help diagnose blood disorders related to the immune system.
• Coagulation Tests: Coagulation tests are performed to diagnose blood clotting problems such as thrombosis or bleeding disorders.
• Hemoglobin Electrophoresis: Hemoglobin electrophoresis is used in the diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell anemia. This procedure helps determine the amount and characteristics of hemoglobin species.

What are Pediatric Hematology Treatment Methods and Florence's Approach?

Florence Hospital stands out as a medical institution that specializes in diagnosing, treating and managing children’s blood and bone marrow health issues. It also develops customized treatment plans that take into account the unique health needs of each child. It makes accurate diagnoses and implements effective treatments using the latest technology and equipment. The Pediatric Hematology treatment methods offered by Florence Hospital include:

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill cancer cells or control their growth. Chemotherapy is often used to treat blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. Treatment can vary depending on the patient's condition and the type of cancer.
• Drug Treatments: Various drugs can be used in the treatment of blood diseases with a doctor's prescription.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy involves using high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing. This treatment can be effective in treating lymphoma or solid tumors.
• Bone Marrow Transplant : Bone marrow transplant is used in cases where the bone marrow is filled with abnormal cells or in cases of bone marrow failure. Transplant involves transferring healthy bone marrow cells into the body of the sick child.
• Platelet Transfusions: Platelet transfusions can be done to correct low platelet counts. This procedure is used to treat conditions such as thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopathy.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a treatment that targets cancer cells in the immune system. This can be effective in treating certain types of cancer.
• Clotting Factor Treatments: Factor infusions are used to treat deficient clotting factors in clotting disorders such as hemophilia.

What are the Health Technologies (Devices) Used in Pediatric Hematology?

The technologies used in the Pediatric Hematology unit play an important role in increasing the accuracy of diagnoses, optimizing treatment processes and protecting the health of children in the best way possible. The health technologies used in this field are:

• Blood Counting Devices: Blood counting devices are important tools that automatically analyze blood samples. These devices count and determine the size of different types of cells found in blood. They provide doctors with important information in the diagnosis and treatment of hematological diseases by accurately determining the number and structure of blood cells such as white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
• Fluoroscopy Devices: Fluoroscopy devices are used to monitor and display movement in real time. They are especially useful for guiding doctors during procedures such as bone marrow biopsies. These devices produce live video images, helping surgeons perform procedures safely.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound devices use sound waves to image internal organs and tissues. It provides detailed imaging of internal organs without a needle. In this way, it is an important aid in the diagnosis and treatment of hematological diseases.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Devices: MRI devices use high magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body, providing doctors with valuable information about the internal structure of tissues.
• Flow Cytometry Devices: Flow cytometry devices are used to analyze the properties and functions of blood cells. They are especially useful in diagnosing and monitoring blood cancers such as leukemia. These devices provide critical data for understanding the course of the disease by examining the size, shape and surface proteins of cells.
• Hematology Analyzers: Hematology analyzers are devices that automatically examine blood samples. They measure the number, size and shape of blood cells. In this way, hematological diseases can be diagnosed and monitored more quickly and accurately.
• Coagulation Testers: Coagulation testers are used to evaluate the ability of blood to clot. They play an important role in diagnosing and treating bleeding disorders. These devices provide valuable information to doctors by measuring how quickly blood clots and the levels of clotting factors.
• Drug Infusion Devices: Drug infusion devices are used to deliver medications intravenously (IV). They ensure that the correct dose and rate of medication is delivered for treatments such as chemotherapy or blood product transfusions.

Why Should I Choose Florence for Pediatric Hematology?

Florence Hospitals Group stands out as a health center serving in the field of Pediatric Hematology. Managed by an experienced and expert team, it offers effective medical treatment options in children's fight against blood diseases and cancer. It helps children to access good health services by using the latest technology and treatment methods in the field of hematology.

What are the Florence Pediatric Hematology Team's Specialties and Special Interests?

Florence Hospital Paediatric Hematology is comprised of a team of specialists with extensive experience in the field of haematology. Special areas of interest in Paediatric Hematology include leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell disease, thrombocytopenia and other blood diseases. Deep expertise in these areas helps patients access the right treatment. At the same time, the latest developments in treatment methods such as bone marrow transplantation and blood transfusion are followed.

What is the Relationship with Other Units from a Multidisciplinary Perspective?

Collaboration with various medical units is important for the effective management of this field and the treatment of diseases. Pediatric hematology works with the following medical units:

• Pediatric Oncology: Pediatric Hematology and Pediatric Oncology are closely related to each other because both fields deal with cancer-related blood diseases. Hematologists and oncologists collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of types of cancer such as leukemia in children.
• Pediatric Surgery: Pediatric surgeons may work with hematologists when bleeding disorders or hematologic problems require surgical intervention.
• Pediatric Genetics: Hematologists may collaborate with geneticists to examine genetically based blood disorders and provide counseling regarding family history.

Pediatric hematology requires a multidisciplinary approach. Because blood and blood diseases can affect many different systems and organs. These medical units come together to provide the best management of pediatric hematology patients. In this way, the most effective treatment and care can be provided to patients.