Bone Marrow Failure and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Clinic (BMF/MDS Clinic)

The Bone Marrow Failure and Myelodysplastic Syndromes (BMF/MDS) Clinic at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provides specialized care for children who have disorders that affect how their bone marrow works. 

Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. It contains stem cells, which make new blood cells such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. 

BMF and MDS can have different causes. In some children, these conditions are caused by genetic changes passed down from a parent (inherited). In other children, BMF or MDS develops later and is acquired (not inherited). For example, acquired aplastic anemia is often caused by an overactive immune system that damages the bone marrow. 

BMF and MDS can cause very low blood cell counts and, in some cases, increase the risk of developing leukemia.  

Patients must be referred to the BMF/MDS Clinic by their primary clinical team or by a St. Jude affiliate site.  

The BMF/MDS Clinic brings together specialists from different areas of medicine and uses advanced genomic (gene) testing. The team diagnoses patients, guides treatment choices, and watches patients for early signs that the condition may be getting worse. 

Services we provide

Our highly trained experts provide complete care and management of a child’s condition. They support patients and families by:  

• Evaluating for bone marrow failure or MDS 
• Using advanced genetic testing including whole genome sequencing and deep sequencing 
• Watching closely for early changes that could lead to leukemia 
• Creating personalized treatment plans 
• Testing to see if a patient requires a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant  
• Working with national and international BMF/MDS research groups and registries 
• Offering clinical trials for eligible patients 

The clinic also offers virtual consultations for clinicians who would like to discuss care of their patients. 

Your BMF/MDS team

The BMF/MDS Clinic is staffed by medical professionals and bone marrow failure specialists, including: 

• Pediatric hematologists: Doctors with specialized training who treat children and teens with blood disorders 
• Advanced practice providers: Perform physical exams, order lab tests, and manage medicines 
• Genetic counselors: Help families understand genetic conditions and test results 
• Nurse coordinators: Help plan and coordinate long-term care for patients with complex medical needs 
• Social workers: Provide emotional and practical support to help families 
• Research staff: Use special training to assist the doctors with clinical research studies or clinical trials 

This experienced team works together to diagnose inherited and acquired BMF/MDS disorders.  

They also help manage children’s care and support them throughout their treatment.  

Some members of the BMF/MDS team also do research to develop new treatments, known as personalized medicine, for these rare disorders. 

What to expect during your visit

During your visit: 

• You will share information about your child’s medical and family history. 
• Your child will get a physical exam. 
• Your child will give blood samples for blood tests. 

Depending on your child’s condition, they may also get a bone marrow evaluation, genetic testing, and imaging studies.  

Follow-up visits may include testing to watch for acquired (pre-leukemic) genetic changes (changes in genes). These test results will help your doctor suggest the best treatment plan for your child. 

BMF/MDS clinical trials 

St. Jude provides the highest quality of care with BMF/MDS. Along with standard medical treatments, St. Jude offers clinical trials and research studies to treat related medical problems.  

Learn more about clinical research at St. Jude.  

Contact us

For questions or referrals, please email the BMF/MDS Clinic at BMFreferrals@stjude.org. 

Learn more