Thalassemia Center

Children, adolescents, and adults with Cooley's anemia (beta thalassemia), alpha thalassemia and other thalassemia syndromes are cared for by the Thalassemia Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

For more than 30 years, the Division of Hematology has sustained a program of treatment and research in thalassemia syndromes. Our goal is to help improve the quality of life and increase the life span of children with these  disorders.

The Thalassemia Center provides comprehensive treatment including regular red cell transfusions in our Day Hospital and chelation therapy as well as regular monitoring for complications of thalassemia, transfusions and chelation including laboratory tests, special magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies to assess iron loading in the heart and liver, bone density scans and other radiographic studies. We often refer patients who are ready to move on to adult care to the Transition to Adulthood Program here at CHOP.

The center is actively involved in both basic science (bench) and clinical research. Research is funded through the National Institutes of Health and other agencies. The Program has also participated in clinical trials of new chelators.

We are proud to have a Family Advisory Committee. Currently this council consists of Thalassemia Center staff, patients, and family members who work together collaboratively in order to implement change and optimize care.


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