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Comprehensive treatment of infants, children and adolescents with sickle cell disease and hemophilia

Sickle Cell Disease Parent Information

St. Jude Hematology Program

St. Jude Hematology provides comprehensive treatment of infants, children, and adolescents with sickle cell disease as well as other hematologic conditions. The hematology program has two clinic locations; one in the Translational Trials Unit (TTU) at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and a second location in the Physicians Office Building adjacent to LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center.  Additionally, St. Jude Hematology has an outreach clinic in Northern Mississippi every quarter.   St. Jude Hematology has one of the largest sickle cell programs in the country with more than 700 patients. 

In 2003, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was designated by the National Institutes of Health as one of only ten Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers in the United States.  This designation provided increased funding for research and patient care.   St. Jude Hematology is committed to finding a readily available cure or to alleviate the devastating complications of sickle cell disease through research.   


Research

Research in sickle cell disease is a major component of the St. Jude Hematology Program. Currently (March 2005), there are numerous active clinical research protocols in the area of sickle cell disease, including three national collaborative studies. 

Major areas of clinical research interest at our center include:

  • Effects of sickle cell disease on the brain using magnetic resonance imaging and angiography (MRI/MRA), transcranial doppler ultrasound (TCD) measurement, neuropsychometric testing and neurologic examination.
  • New approaches to treatment using the drug hydroxyurea, which stimulates hemoglobin F production.
  • New approaches to stem cell / bone marrow transplantation in conjunction with St. Jude’s Bone Marrow Transplant Division.
  • Nutritional supplementation using the amino acid glutamine.
  • Evaluation, prevention and treatment of the complications of iron overload in patients who are receiving chronic transfusion because of stroke and other complications of sickle cell disease.

Patients are routinely evaluated to determine if they are at high risk for major complications of sickle cell disease and whether they might be candidates for standard or research interventions.


Literature

St. Jude Hematology is one of the largest publishers of educational literature for sickle cell disease, with a national and international distribution of more than 9000 items annually. The literature is designed for parents, children, teens, educators and health care professionals, to promote awareness and understanding of sickle cell disease through education. (See Order Literature Online.) Also, researchers have published several hundred articles involving both national and local research during the past 20 years.


Education and Counseling Programs

The center is a recognized leader in the development of sickle cell education and counseling programs. All of our programs have been published, presented nationally, and provided to sickle cell programs throughout the country. (See Education and Counseling Programs.)


Camp

The St. Jude Hematology Program sponsors Camp Courage, an annual camp for children and adolescents with sickle cell disease.


Sickle Cell Disease Questions and Answers

We have assembled some of the most frequently asked questions about sickle cell disease, complications of sickle cell disease and general health questions for those with sickle cell disease. (See About Sickle Cell Disease.)

 


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