Non-Malignant Disorders of the Blood in Infants and Children

Abstract

These are exciting times for pediatric hematologists and their patients. Major advances during the past decade have enhanced our understanding of the pathophysiology, management, and outcome of many hematologic disorders. Several factors have contributed to this progress, including the completion of the Human Genome Project, increased research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), creative and robust initiatives by the pharmaceutical industry, and committed efforts by numerous hematologists worldwide. Several other recent developments are enhancing the research armamentarium in the hematology community. One is the establishment by the NIH of clinical trials networks of investigators and research centers that are aimed at studying thalassemia, hemorrhagic disorders, blood transfusion therapy, sickle cell disease, and stem cell transplantation. It is with great excitement that the concept of multicenter clinical trials, which has been so successful in pediatric oncology during the past 4 decades, is being endorsed for patients who have benign hematologic disorders as well. Opportunities also abound for promising young investigators. The American Society of Hematology’s new Clinical Research Training Institute and a sizable expansion of their Scholar Award Program, the NIH loan repayment program, and other novel grant support mechanisms now make it possible for young persons who are committed to a career in hematology research and education to obtain the necessary support for their extended period of training. Hematol Oncol Clin N Am