Paediatric haematology topics for General Physicians
How pediatric hematology is tested
Written for DHA, SMLE, DOH, QCHP, OMSB, MOH, NHRA and Kuwait MOH — the same GP licensing mix, not a pediatric hematology specialist paper.
Paediatric haematology is iron deficiency, sickle complications, ITP observation vs treatment, and the blood-film that is actually leukaemia.
Toddler iron deficiency is diet until proven otherwise — but pallor plus blast-like red flags is not iron. Sickle is the same emergencies as adults, in a smaller patient.
ITP after a viral illness is often watched if counts and the child are well. Petechiae plus hepatosplenomegaly is a different disease.
When is iron the wrong first answer?
When there are blasts, organomegaly, bone pain at night, or a film the stem describes as abnormal. Do not empirically iron a leukaemia.
Childhood ITP — treat or watch?
Watch the well child with typical history and no wet bleeding. Treat mucous membrane bleeding or very low counts per the stem’s protocol.
Lead poisoning — still tested?
Yes, as a developmental/anaemia distractor in some papers. Pica and old housing are the clues.
More Pediatrics subspecialties