Hemophilia and Thrombosis

In 1973, the National Hemophilia Foundation launched a campaign to establish the creation of a nationwide network of hemophilia diagnostic and treatment centers. Today, there are about 141 federally funded treatment centers and programs across the country. Children's is designated as a Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) and is the only such program in the region focused solely on pediatrics. This designation ensures that children and adolescents receive comprehensive care from a team of pediatric experts in bleeding and clotting disorders.

The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) estimates that today more than 2.5 million girls and women in the U.S. have an undiagnosed bleeding disorder that adversely affects their lives. Research shows that young women with bleeding and clotting disorders often experience delays in diagnosis. The Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) hematology and gynecology program at Children’s Minnesota offers coordinated care for such conditions, where patients can schedule visits that include both a pediatric hematologist and pediatric gynecologist. Since primary care physicians and gynecologists are rarely trained in pediatric treatments, they are often unaware of young adult's unique needs.

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.

Hemophilia is an inherited condition in which your child's blood doesn't clot normally. Children with hemophilia don't stop bleeding as quickly as other children and may have serious bleeding problems. When a person is injured or has surgery, platelets and clotting factors in the blood work together to help stop the bleeding and begin the process of healing. People with hemophilia A lack clotting factor 8. People with hemophilia B have little or no clotting factor 9.Symptoms of hemophilia vary depending on the type and severity of hemophilia. Some children with mild hemophilia (factor levels of 5-50% of normal) do not have symptoms until they have surgery, an accident, or a dental procedure. Those with moderate or severe hemophilia (factor levels of 1-5% of normal) may have symptoms of external and/or internal bleeding that begin shortly after birth. It is important that children with hemophilia and their families be aware of the signs and symptoms of bleeding and that treatment be administered as soon as possible.

Research shows that bleeding disorders in women and girls often are undiagnosed. With proper treatment, young women with bleeding disorders can lead full, active lives and more safely undergo surgery, dental work, and childbirth.

The Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders provides a complete range of care for children and adolescents with bleeding and thrombotic (clotting) disorders. Children's Minnesota belongs to a nationwide network of federally funded Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) and is the only such program in the region focused solely on pediatrics. This designation ensures that children and adolescents receive comprehensive care from a team of pediatric experts in bleeding and clotting disorders.

If your child is diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder, we understand it's not easy news to hear, but know that Children's Minnesota will be with you and your child along every step of the way. We believe that by providing the best journey for the patient and family, it will lead to the best outcomes. You'll receive first-rate, compassionate care from the moment we meet.

The cancer and blood disorders team at Children's Minnesota has the training, knowledge and technology to treat a wide range of conditions. Nearly 900 children are admitted annually as inpatients to the Jim and Colleen Ryan Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Minnesota in Minneapolis, making us the largest program in the upper midwest. And while we're known as a leader and innovator in the field of pediatric cancer and blood disorder treatment, we never forget that each patient is someone's child. Compassion always factors into our approach. We are on the journey with you, because we believe that better journeys lead to better outcomes.

It can be frightening to hear that a child has cancer or a blood disorder. At Children's Minnesota, we're experts in treating the disease and supporting the patient and family. In addition to offering advanced, individualized care for newly diagnosed children, teens and young adults with cancers and blood disorders, we also provide innovative treatment for rare, relapsed and recurrent cancers.