Hematology

Benign hematologic disorders are common in children and occur frequently in outpatient and inpatient settings. Anemia is one of the most frequent diagnoses seen by physicians and is the most common hematologic abnormality identified in children and infants. Proper understanding of most likely causes at different ages and the role of laboratory parameters to help prioritize differential diagnoses can promote efficient evaluation and management decisions. Of acquired bleeding disorders in children, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is the most common and these children benefit from individualized management approaches. Children may also manifest leukopenia and neutropenia. Investigation involves identifying common infectious etiologies, medication-related, and inherited deficiencies.