A pediatric hematologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating blood disorders beginning at birth up to adolescence. They are experts in the normal development and function of blood cells, as well as the diseases and conditions that affect them.

A pediatric hematologist can treat a wide range of blood disorders, including:

• anemia:  a condition where the red blood cells are low in number or quality, causing symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath
• bleeding disorders:  a group of conditions where the blood does not clot properly, leading to excessive or prolonged bleeding, bruising, or bleeding into joints or organs
• clotting disorders:  a group of conditions where the blood clots too easily or too often, causing problems such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or stroke
• hemoglobinopathies:  a group of inherited disorders where the hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells, is abnormal or defective, causing problems such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia

Your child may need to see a hematologist if they have any of the following:

• signs or symptoms of anemia such as fatigue, weakness, pale skin, or shortness of breath
• signs and symptoms of bleeding disorder such as prolonged bleeding, bruising, nose bleeds, gum bleeding, bleeding after surgery, heavy periods, or joint pain/swelling
• a family history of a blood disorder, such as anemia, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, or clotting disorder
• an abnormal blood test result, such as low or high blood counts, abnormal blood smear, low iron stores or abnormal clotting tests
• a need for surgical clearance for a blood disorder

At the first visit, Dr. Gupta will:

• review your child's medical history, family history, symptoms, and available blood tests
• perform a focused physical examination
• order additional blood tests, imaging tests, or other procedures to confirm or rule out a diagnosis
• explain the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options to you and your child
• prescribe medications, transfusions, or other therapies, if needed
• provide education and counseling on the blood disorder and its management
• coordinate care with other specialists if needed
• schedule follow-up visits to monitor your child's condition and response to treatment

A blood draw is often needed to evaluate a child's blood disorder, as it can provide valuable information about the number, size, shape, and function of the blood cells, as well as the presence of any abnormal cells, antibodies, or clotting factors. A blood draw is quick and safe, but it may cause some discomfort, bruising, or bleeding at the site of the needle insertion. The blood sample will be sent to a laboratory for analysis, and the results will be available in a few days or weeks, depending on the type of test. The hematologist will review the results with the child and the parents and discuss the next steps in the evaluation or treatment plan.