Addressing Blood Disorders in Children:

Blood disorders in children are not uncommon, but a lack of awareness often leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment. These disorders can be inherited or acquired and may involve issues with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, clotting factors, or bone marrow. It is crucial to recognize that blood disorders in children differ significantly from those in adults, necessitating specialized care.

Paediatric Hematology is a specialized branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating blood disorders in children. This field requires a unique approach to address the distinct needs of pediatric patients.

Comprehensive Care for Paediatric Blood Disorders:

At Fortis Hospital, our Paediatric Hematology Department is dedicated to providing expert care for a wide range of blood disorders in children. Our services include:

• Inherited Blood Disorders: Such as Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia.
• Acquired Blood Disorders: Including various types of anemia and bone marrow failure.
• White Blood Cell Disorders: Such as leukopenia (low white blood cell count) and leukocytosis (high white blood cell count).
• Platelet Disorders: Including thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).
• Clotting Disorders: Such as Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
• Bone Marrow Disorders: Including aplastic anemia and bone marrow failure syndromes.

Specialized Pediatric Care:

Recognizing that children require different treatment protocols than adults, our team at Fortis Hospital provides tailored care for pediatric patients. Our approach includes:

• Comprehensive Diagnostic Services: Utilizing advanced diagnostic tools to accurately identify blood disorders.
• Individualized Treatment Plans: Developing personalized treatment plans that cater to the specific needs of each child.
• Multidisciplinary Approach: Collaborating with other pediatric specialists to provide holistic care.
• Family-Centered Care: Involving families in the treatment process to ensure they are well-informed and supported.

Expert Team and Advanced Facilities:

Our team of highly skilled pediatric hematologists is supported by state-of-the-art technology and facilities. We are committed to delivering the highest standard of care through:

• Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory: Equipped with cutting-edge technology for precise and timely diagnosis.
• Extensive Blood Bank: Ensuring the availability of necessary blood products for treatment.
• Inpatient and Outpatient Services: Providing comprehensive care settings for various pediatric hematological conditions.

Education and Awareness:

We are dedicated to increasing awareness about pediatric blood disorders. By educating parents and caregivers, we aim to promote early diagnosis and timely intervention, improving outcomes for affected children.

Conclusion:

At Fortis Hospital, our Paediatric Hematology Department is committed to delivering specialized, compassionate care for children with blood disorders. Through advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and a multidisciplinary approach, we strive to ensure the best possible outcomes for our young patients.

Paediatric Hematology at FMRI, Fortis

Comprehensive Care for Paediatric Blood Disorders

The Department of Paediatric Hematology at FMRI, Fortis, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children with a wide range of blood disorders. Our team of highly qualified and experienced pediatric hematologists, trained at prestigious institutions worldwide, is dedicated to providing the best care for our young patients. Our in-house modern laboratory, dedicated hematopathology services, and extensive blood bank ensure comprehensive care.

Range of Conditions Treated

We care for children with various blood disorders, including but not limited to:

• Anaemia: Nutritional anemias, Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Disease, Hereditary Spherocytosis, Pure Red Cell Aplasia, Diamond Blackfan Anemia, etc.
• Bleeding Disorders
• Coagulation Disorders
• Thrombocytopenia: Low platelet count
• Leucopenia: Low white blood cell count or Neutropenia (low neutrophil count)
• Aplastic Anemia
• Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes
• Splenomegaly and Disorders of Splenic Function
• Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
• Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH)
• Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders
• Inborn Errors of Metabolism
• Blood Cancers

Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)

Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a life-saving procedure that replaces unhealthy bone marrow stem cells with healthy ones. The process has evolved significantly since the first successful pediatric BMT in 1968 at the University of Minnesota, USA. In India, the first successful pediatric allogeneic BMT was performed in 1983 at Tata Memorial Hospital.

FMRI, Fortis, has completed over 1000 successful BMTs in the past decade, making it a leading center for pediatric hematopoietic stem-cell transplants. Our dedicated team of doctors and nurses is highly trained and experienced in pediatric care, ensuring the best outcomes for our patients.

Understanding Bone Marrow and Stem Cells

Bone marrow contains hematopoietic stem cells, which are responsible for forming blood cells. These cells can renew themselves and develop into any type of blood cell. Hematopoietic stem cells can be obtained from peripheral blood after treatment with growth factors or from the umbilical cord.

During a pediatric BMT, stem cells are injected into a recipient after a short course of chemotherapy called conditioning. This treatment is a viable option for various genetic disorders, blood disorders, and childhood cancers. Continued research has significantly improved the success rates of BMT.

Types of Paediatric BMT

1. Paediatric Allogeneic BMT: Donor and recipient are separate individuals. Types include:
   • Matched Related: Donor is an HLA-matched relative, usually a sibling.
   • Matched Unrelated: Donor is not related to the patient and is usually found through national or international registries.
   • Partially Matched Related (Haploidentical): Donor is from the patient’s family but partially matched.
2. Paediatric Autologous BMT: Donor and recipient are the same individual. This involves high-dose chemotherapy to remove the primary disease, followed by autologous transplant to rescue damaged bone marrow. This type of transplant has minimal complications and is preferred for diseases like neuroblastoma, high-risk medulloblastoma, and lymphomas.

Safe and Efficient Donation Process

The process of donating stem cells is similar to donating blood or platelets and poses no risk to the donor. The safety and comfort of our patients are our top priorities, and we ensure that all procedures are performed with the highest standards of care.

Global Trust and Excellence

We are trusted by many countries and have successfully treated children from across the world. Our commitment to delivering superior patient care, advanced diagnostic and treatment methods, and a compassionate approach ensures that our patients receive the best possible outcomes.

At FMRI, Fortis, we strive to provide specialized, comprehensive care for children with blood disorders, leveraging our expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to improve the health and well-being of our young patients.