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Beyond Blood Fall 2024 Newsletter

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Beyond Blood Fall 2024 Newsletter
November 11, 2024

NOW OPEN: Clinic for Hematology and Adolescent Menstruating Patients

On July 17, 2024, the newly formed joint Hemophilia Treatment Center and Adolescent Medicine clinic welcomed its first group of patients. The Clinic for Hematology and Adolescent Menstruating Patients (CHAMP) has been designed to meet the needs of an under-recognized population of menstruating adolescents diagnosed with a bleeding disorder or with a clotting disorder treated with anticoagulants. 

Patients scheduled for CHAMP are seen at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) location at 3550 Market St. in Philadelphia, Pa. (Parking is available for patients in a lot on 34th Street.) One of the many benefits of this clinic is that patients can be seen for two separate appointments — adolescent medicine and hematology — on the same day and in the same location. This is an added resource to provide collaborative care to help manage heavy menstrual bleeding in this unique population of patients. Patients will also continue to be seen by their primary hematologist for regularly scheduled Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center (HTC) visits at the CHOP Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, 3500 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa.

According to hematologist Hilary Whitworth, MD, MSCE — one of the physicians seeing CHAMP patients — participation in the Foundation for Women and Girls with Blood Disorders has enhanced collaboration with similarly structured clinics across the United States where physicians and clinic nurses can learn from each other. The FWGBD “was formed in 2010 by … individuals who recognized the need to support the health of women and girls with blood disorders by educating their healthcare team,” according to their website. 

A preliminary review conducted by Dr. Whitworth and team showed that more than half of females seen at CHOP hematology since July 2019 with a diagnosis of heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding had no gynecological care prior to their visit to hematology. Only one-third of patients without prior gynecological care were scheduled with adolescent medicine after their hematology visit, and at an average of 148 days after the visit. Additionally, research has shown that combined hematology and adolescent clinics for young women can decrease the time to a bleeding disorder diagnosis for those presenting with heavy menstrual bleeding1. There is a clear need for this combined clinic. 

Adolescents seen in CHAMP will be evaluated by the following multidisciplinary team:

Patients seeking more information about CHAMP or interested in being scheduled for a visit should send a MyCHOP message or discuss the options with their hematologist.

1 Zia A, Lau M, Journeycake J, Sarode R, Marshall J, De Simone N, Wilson E, Winborn A, Kouides P. Developing a multidisciplinary young women’s Blood Disorders Program: A single-centre approach with guidance for other centres. Haemophilia. 2016;22(2):199-207.

Combined hematology and adolescent clinics for young women can decrease the time to a bleeding disorder diagnosis for those with heavy menstrual bleeding

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Specialties & Programs

Child and mother smiling talking with medical professional

Meet our Team

All of the pediatric hematologists in the Division of Hematology at CHOP care for children with bleeding and clotting disorders and belong to the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center team. We utilize a shared practice model, which means that although you will have a primary hematologist, you may be seen by another hematology provider from time to time or during acute care visits.

Packages

Period Pouches and Nosebleed Kits

Hemophilia Treatment Center social workers have prepared care packages for our patients who are experiencing heavy bleeding. During your next hematology visit, let your social worker know if you would benefit from a period pouch or nosebleed kit.

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