Oliver is a sweet, thoughtful 5-year-old boy. He was born with Down syndrome, but doesn’t let that slow him down. In 2019, when he was only 4 years old, Oliver received bad news – he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Read his story here.
Dr. Kris Ann Schultz is the first Endowed Chair holder in the Cancer and Blood Disorders program at Children’s Minnesota.
Children’s Minnesota has the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorders program in the Upper Midwest, caring for more than 58 percent of children diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders in Minnesota.
Congratulations to Children’s Minnesota child life specialists Jodi Betsinger, Kristine Adams VanKempen and Samantha Schackman for receiving the 2020 Faces of Change Award from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center’s (NBPC) 6th Annual Unity Awards in recognition of their collaborative and innovative work in the cancer and blood disorders program.
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Prothrombin gene mutation is an inherited condition that increases a person's chance of forming blood clots. It is known as a type of thrombophilia or blood clotting disorder, and is one of the second most common inherited blood clotting disorder. Most people with prothrombin gene mutation never develop abnormal blood clots.
Platelets are blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow and have several important functions, including helping the blood to clot when an injury or surgery occurs. Inherited platelet disorder is a term that covers a diverse set of very rare abnormalities of the platelets. Specific conditions include:
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a platelet disorder in which the body produces antibodies that bind with platelets that are the small, sticky cells of the blood that help the blood clot. The platelet-antibody complex is then destroyed in the spleen or liver. This can occur as a short-term event or can be chronic. Patients who have low platelet counts are more likely to have bleeding with trauma or surgery. Some evidence suggests that ITP is related to an overactive immune system; however, the cause is not clearly understood. The condition happens more frequently following certain viral infections and certain immunizations. It also can be associated with autoimmune disorders such as lupus.
A hemophilia carrier is a female who carries a genetic change for hemophilia. Hemophilia is an inherited condition in which blood doesn't clot normally, leading to prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery, or with menstruation Males with hemophilia may experience serious bleeding problems and may require lifelong treatment. Hemophilia carriers may have no bleeding problems, or they may experience bleeding which may affect health and quality of life.
There are a number of inherited, or genetic, blood conditions that may increase a person's chance of forming blood clots. One of the most common of these is factor V Leiden.