The Pediatric Hematology Department at the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital is a national reference center for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for children and adolescents with hematological diseases. Some, such as iron deficiency anemia, are very common, but many others are minority diseases which affect very few children around the world.
In our department, made up of a nationally recognized, highly experienced team, we have complex diagnostic techniques (functional studies, bone marrow aspiration, genetic studies, etc.) which help us to give our patients a swifter, more accurate diagnosis, as well as access to new personalized treatments.
The primary focus of our work is to provide patients and their families with comprehensive information, based on a precise diagnosis, in order to offer suitable treatment and, whenever possible, allow them to access new drugs in the setting of clinical trials.
We work in three principal units, in which a multi-disciplinary team strives to ensure that the care is focused on patients and their families. We are particularly interested in responding to their needs in an individualized manner.
Accreditation
The Hematological Department has been officially recognized as a reference department for the treatment of hematological diseases.
- European Commission (ERN): EurobloodNet.
- Spanish Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare (CSUR): Hereditary erythropathology. SJD Barcelona Hospital Group and Hospital de Sant Pau.
- Catalan Health Service (XUEC): Hemophilia.
Why our Pediatric Hematology Department?
Benchmarks in the care of pediatric hematological diseases
In Spain, we are a reference center as experts in the diagnosis and treatment of hematological diseases in children and adolescents. Although we treat all manner of hematological diseases, SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital is recognized by the National Health System as a national reference center (CSUR) for the treatment of erythrocyte disorders (rare anemias). We also participate in the preparation of protocols and clinical guidelines on a national level for the treatment of different hematological disorders.
Care focused on patients and their families
To each patient, we devote all the specialized resources needed to offer high-quality, personalized care. We also take into account the needs of each child or adolescent to offer them the best available treatment and human support from our entire staff.
We encourage self-care through our expert nursing staff
In our department, we have a specialized, highly-qualified nursing team which carries out specific training programs for patients and families. Our principal objective is for patients and their caregivers to take responsibility for the self-administration and control of treatment to gain in autonomy, improve their compliance, and, in short, their quality of life. Of course, constant close contact is maintained at their homes, through different channels. One example we are particularly proud of is the self-control program for oral anticoagulant therapy In pediatric patients, a pioneering project in Spain.
We apply innovative therapies
Our patients benefit from our participation in clinical trials. We also use this experience for the early application of new therapies.
Our facilities
We have modern installations designed to improve the experience for pediatric patients when they have to come to the Hospital. Blood analyses, the administration of treatments and transfusions are carried out on an outpatient basis in the nurse managers' clinics and in the Day Hospital.
Coordinated transition to the adult hospital
SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital Is the center which treats patients up to the age of 18 years. The transition process towards the adult center is conducted following the A10 Program protocol, thus ensuring continuity of medical care for patients, their training to handle their illness, and psycho-social support in the administrative management required.
Our activity in pediatric hematology
Specialties and treatments
Specialized units
Erythropathology
It is not covered by public health
Thrombosis and hemostasis
It is not covered by public health
Hemophilia
It is not covered by public health
Bone marrow failure
It is not covered by public health
Treatments we offer
Erythropathology
It is not covered by public health
Thrombosis and hemostasia
It is not covered by public health
Bone marrow failure
It is not covered by public health
We also offer genetic guidance in all hematological disorders with a genetic basis and second opinions.
Care and research team
Elisa Laura González Forster
Maria Solsona Gadeaz
Georgina Pedrals Portabella
Montserrat Torrebadell Burriel
- Jessica Montesinos Méndez (TCAI)
Research and clinical trials
Our research is conducted in the setting of the SJD Research Institute, in the pediatric leukemia and blood disease group, where we conduct translational research, with the aim of applying advances in biological diagnosis and the most innovative treatments in practical care to pediatric patients with blood disorders.
We also participate as an Associated Clinical Group, within the Hereditary Cancer and Related Syndromes Group, in the CIBERER network.
Principal research projects
- Own research projects in thrombosis and bone marrow failure.
- Multiple clinical trials molecules under development for the treatment of hemophilia, thrombosis, Immune thromboctyopenia (ITP), and sickle cell anemia, among others.
Teaching
SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital is a university hospital attached to the University of Barcelona. We share our knowledge and we train professionals so that they can specialize in high-complexity medicine.
Every year, in the Hematology Department, we offer a refresher course on Pediatric Hematology.