Anemia

Treatment of Children

A child-friendly environment, the latest advances in treatment and highly skilled pediatric hematologists are all part of Mayo Clinic's program to treat anemia-related conditions in children at Mayo's Minnesota campus. Children who need inpatient care stay at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital.

At Mayo Clinic, subspecialty care is also available for children with anemia. Mayo Clinic physicians are dedicated to providing comprehensive diagnosis and treatment services. Specialists approach adult and pediatric cases of anemia with many of the same diagnostic methods.

Treatment of pediatric anemia depends upon the cause:

Iron deficiency and other nutritional problems (i.e., not enough iron, vitamin B-12 or folic acid) are often easily treatable in children using dietary supplements.

Chronic disorders may require treating the child's disorder before the anemia can be controlled.

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited condition caused by an abnormal form of hemoglobin. Drugs such as hydroxyrea are used to control the disease and lessen debilitating symptoms. Blood transfusions, penicillin regimens, and chemotherapy are used to combat the illness. Severe cases raise the possibility of a bone marrow transplant.

Hereditary spherocytosis causes the red blood cell membrane to be smaller and rounder than normal. The disease causes a buildup of red blood cells in the spleen. Treating hereditary spherocytosis often involves removing the spleen, a procedure which can usually be done in children older than 3.

Thalassemia includes a group of genetic blood disorders that inhibit a child's ability to produce red blood cells. The disorder is most prevalent in children of Mediterranean or East Asian descent. Depending upon severity, regular blood transfusions may be necessary. In some cases a bone marrow transplant may be considered.

Treatment Team

Children with anemia are treated by experienced specialists in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Appointments

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at (507) 538-3270 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.