The Hematology Program

Hematology is the treatment and study of blood. This includes the bone marrow in which blood cells are produced, the circulating cells that carry and deliver oxygen, the platelets that participate in clotting and injury repair, and white blood cells that fight infection.

Hematology is also the study of coagulation, which is the clotting of blood so that a person does not excessively bleed when cut or injured or create a blood clot that can cause harm. We use the science behind hematology at Children's Hospital Colorado to treat blood disorders in children that can affect oxygen levels, clotting and the ability to fight infection.

About our Hematology Program

With the region's most comprehensive children's hospital hematology oncology clinic, the Hematology Program at Children's Colorado is internationally recognized for its expertise in hemophilia, bleeding and clotting disorders, hematological diseases and immuno-hematological diseases.

Here, our hematology care team is multidisciplinary, meaning it is comprised of a variety of specialists who provide both physical and emotional care for children with blood disorders. This includes board-certified pediatric hematologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, hematology nurses, social workers, pharmacists, nutritionists, genetic counselors, child life specialists and physical therapists.

We also have partnerships with the University of Colorado Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center and the Colorado Sickle Cell Treatment and Research Center.

Hematology Program services include:

• Blood transfusions and erythrocytapheresis: a procedure during which erythrocytes, commonly known as red blood cells, are separated from whole blood
• Consultations
• Second opinions
• Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up
• Family support services and accommodation assistance
• Referral to home infusion therapies and professional services
• Inpatient and outpatient local and regional care management
• Long-term management, support and follow up
• An on-site infusion center with specialized staffing for high-acuity care
• School visits
• Community outreach education

Why choose us for hematologic care

Children's Colorado has nationally and internationally renowned hematology experts who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and support of pediatric hematology conditions. These experts focus on red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells and the clotting of plasma. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your child and family.

Partnerships with the Children's Colorado Bone Marrow Transplant Program and the Children's Colorado Blood Donor Center and Vitalant Blood Center allow us to offer timely, comprehensive treatment for our patients, especially children with severe hematologic disease.

Our Hematology Program doctors are leading researchers in their field and have published groundbreaking research about the care and treatment of babies, kids and young adults with blood and clotting disorders. Through partnering with our Experimental Therapeutics Program, we can offer patients access to phase 1 trials when possible. Typically, phase 1 trials only include a select number of patients — often those who have already had all other available treatments. The goal of the trials is for researchers to learn more about new types of medication.

We also make patient and family support a priority, offering resources and information on local support groups. Ask for more information on any of the following programs:

• Camp programs for patients and siblings
• Lodging assistance
• Make-A-Wish Foundation and other wish organizations
• Parent support groups
• Recreational services for the physically disabled
• Individual and family counseling to address challenges related to illness

Learn more about Hannah's story and her experience with Sickle Cell and our hematology experts.

Who we treat at the Hematology Program

Our pediatric hematology and oncology experts offer care for children through a variety of centers and clinics, including the Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center and the Young Women's Bleeding Clinic. We evaluate and treat the following conditions and many more that are not listed:

• Bone marrow failure
  • Acquired aplastic anemia, including hepatitis-associated
  • Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia
  • Diamond-Blackfan anemia
  • Dyskeratosis congenita
  • Fanconi anemia
  • Myelodysplastic syndrome
  • Myelofibrosis
  • Thrombocytopenia-absent radius syndrome
• General hematology
  • Anemias
  • Thrombocytopenia
• Bleeding disorders
• Stroke
• Thrombosis and thrombophilia
• Immunohematology
  • Severe congenital neutropenia
  • Shwachman-Diamond syndrome
  • Chronic granulomatous disease
  • Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
  • Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
  • Chronic benign neutropenia
  • Gaucher's disease
  • Neutropenia of unknown origin
  • Autoimmune cytopenia
• Sickle cell, hemoglobinopathy and thalassemia
• Transfusion-induced iron overload
• Nonmalignant hematopoietic transplant long-term follow up

Contact the Hematology Program

For appointments at Anschutz Medical Campus, call 720-777-6740.