Give Your Child Access to Experts in Treating Iron Disorders
Iron must be maintained at a delicate balance in the body. Too little iron interferes with intellectual function, such as school performance, and causes fatigue. Too much iron can accumulate in and damage vital organs. Two of the major iron disorders are:
Iron overload - Develops when red blood cell transfusions are given on a steady or intensive basis, such as for inherited anemias, during recovery from stem cell transplantation, or other conditions. Iron can be absorbed at an exceptionally high rate in hemolytic anemias. There is no natural mechanism for eliminating excess iron from the body. Excess iron can damage vital organs, such as the heart, liver, and endocrine glands.
Iron deficiency - Common in childhood and also has important medical effects, such as diminishing learning. Iron deficiency can develop with certain nutritional allergies, dietary deficiencies, gastrointestinal disorders, and other conditions.
Our hematologists have strong expertise in treating iron disorders. We work hard to provide individualized treatment options for our patients so that they can have the best possible outcomes. Typically, our treatment options include:
There are now three FDA-approved medicines for treatment of iron overload which promote iron excretion from the body. The therapies have different mechanisms and special effects; one removes iron from the heart particularly well. Some have additive effects.
We regularly assess patients for development of iron overload, monitor organs at risk, using blood tests and special imaging studies. We tailor therapies to each patient’s case and tolerability.
For iron deficiency, when patients do not tolerate oral iron medications due to gastrointestinal effects, treatment can be administered quickly in our infusion clinic with intravenous iron replacement medications. We can rapidly replace deficient iron stores.
Call us today to find out more information about your child’s blood disorder, to schedule a consultation or to make an appointment. Our phone number is 617-636-5535 and our fax number is 617-636-7738.
