Overview
Bone marrow failure means that the soft area in the center of the bones (marrow) does not make enough blood cells. There are several types of important blood that healthy marrow is supposed to make:
- White blood cells to fight infection.
- Red blood cells to carry oxygen.
- Platelets to help the blood clot and stop bleeding.
Our team of experts at Cleveland Clinic Children’s diagnoses the conditions that can cause bone marrow failure in addition to caring for children, teens, and young adults with these conditions. Our team also treats the related health problems that affect some children with bone marrow failure.
Therapies offered
At Cleveland Clinic Children’s, we offer a full range of treatments including:
- Immune suppression medications.
- Blood transfusions.
- Hormones.
- Growth factors that help make more blood cells.
- Stem cell transplant.
Comprehensive care
Our doctors have special training in how to diagnose and care for children with blood conditions. The doctors who guide your child’s care are certified in pediatric hematology/oncology, which means they are approved to provide the special care your child needs.
Our comprehensive clinic is made up of pediatric hematologist/oncologists, pediatric rheumatologists, and geneticists. However, the care offered at Cleveland Clinic Children’s does not stop there. Our team will help arrange consults with other services as needed. These services include:
- Gastroenterology.
- Cardiology.
- Pulmonology.
- Nephrology.
- Endocrinology.
- Orthopedics.
- Neurology.
- Immunology.
- Otolaryngology.
- Infectious diseases.
- Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Give to Cleveland Clinic Children's
Help continue research that benefits children with Bone Marrow Failure Disorders by donating to the Pediatric Cancer & Blood Disorder Research.
Donate NowWhat We Treat
Some children are born with a condition that causes bone marrow failure. Others develop marrow failure during childhood.
At Cleveland Clinic Children’s, we diagnose and treat all types of bone marrow failure. This includes:
- Aplastic anemia.
- Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia.
- Cyclic neutropenia.
- Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
- Dyskeratosis congenita.
- Fanconi anemia.
- Severe congenital neutropenia (Kostmann’s syndrome).
- Shwachman-Diamond syndrome.
Our Team
Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, & BMT
Pediatric Rheumatology
Genetics
Brittany Griffin, PhD, CGC
Harry Lesmana, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterology
Kaddakal Radhakrishnan, MD
Sophia Patel, MD
Pediatric Endocrinology
Pediatric Cardiology
Pediatric Otolaryngology
Brandon Hopkins, MD
Rachel Georgopoulos, MD
Pediatric Behavioral Health
Pediatric Social Worker
Milvon Wright, MSW
Programs & Services
4th Angel Program
The 4th Angel Mentoring Program is an innovative, interactive approach to cancer support in which patients and caregivers are matched with trained volunteers. While emphasizing one-on-one contact, matches are primarily made based on similar age and cancer experiences to best empower caregivers and patients with knowledge, awareness, hope, and a helping hand. For more information on the 4th Angel Program, call 216.445.8734, or email 4thAngel@ccf.org.
Art & Music Therapy
Art Therapy is engaging in the creation of art, with the help of an Art Therapist, to assist with both emotional and physical healing and growth. Anyone can benefit from Art Therapy; it does not depend on talent or technical ability. The Art Therapist will discuss your interests and goals for the session and suggest art activities, which may include painting, sculpting, drawing, collage, or craftwork. Music Therapy, under the supervision of a board certified music therapist, combines music and therapeutic techniques and aids in the physiological, psychological, and emotional well-being of the individual during treatment of an illness.
Behavioral Health
Cleveland Clinic Children’s Behavioral Health offers an array of specialized psychological services for children, adolescents, and their families. Consultation may be helpful for children who are having difficulty adjusting to hospitalization or illness, or where psychological, behavioral, or emotional factors may play a part in a child’s illness or actions.
Caring Canine Program
Cleveland Clinic’s Caring Canine teams are certified therapy dogs and volunteer handlers who provide emotional support, increase smiles and laughter, and generally reduce anxiety for patients and their families. Dog handlers and their pets deliver world-class service by visiting patients, families, and visitors during their time at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.
Child Life
Child Life Specialists are health professionals who assist children and adolescents and their families as they prepare for and cope with pediatric medical and emotional experiences such as surgery, hospitalization, tests, and procedures. We’ve discovered that when children understand what is
of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation has a dedication Child Life Specialist available to our patients during their time with us.
Dec My Room
Dec My Room is all about “creating a healing place.” Volunteers shop and then decorate a hospital room, with knowledge of the interests and passions of each individual patient. The goal is to change a plain hospital room into a cozier, more personalized space that is filled with things that the patient will find comforting during their stay.
Flashes of Hope
Founded in 2001 by the parents of a child with cancer, Flashes of Hope is a volunteer-driven organization solely focused on children’s cancer. With chapters in 55 cities, Flashes of Hope photographs and creates portraits of children diagnosed with cancer. Since their founding, they have photographed nearly 64,000 children at hospitals across the United States. Flashes of Hope honors the courage of children with cancer, captures a moment in time, and funds research so that they will have the chance to create a lifetime of memories.
Palliative Care
Our mission for Pediatric Palliative Care at Cleveland Clinic Children’s is to provide compassionate family-centered care to children of all ages facing complex, chronic conditions, while supporting and educating caregivers. The team will advocate to promote quality of life, enhance comfort, alleviate suffering, and foster coordination of care. Patients in the Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation have access to a dedicated nurse care coordinator from palliative care.
Social Work
Our social workers at Cleveland Clinic Children’s are licensed professionals. They are skilled in addressing the counseling, support, and advocacy needs of patients and their families. Patients in our department have access to two dedicated social workers in our outpatient clinic, as well as a social work team during their inpatient stays. If you would like to meet with one of our social workers, please call 216.444.5517 to make an appointment.
Spiritual Care
The Spiritual Care Department provides religious and spiritual needs for our patients, their families, and loved ones. Our clinically trained chaplains are committed to providing compassionate and appropriate spiritual care that respects the beliefs of each person.
Research
Through our partnership with Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, our patients who need stem cell transplants have access to promising new therapies offered only in research studies. These studies are called clinical or therapeutic trials. They may involve gene therapy, new conditioning treatments, or options for children who do not have good donor choices for stem cell transplants.
We also belong to the North American Pediatric Aplastic Anemia Consortium (NAPAAC), which supports patients and families with bone marrow failure.
Research & Publications
Appointments & Locations
Patients of our Bone Marrow Failure Program can be seen at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus:
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
8950 Euclid Ave
R Building
Cleveland, OH 44195
To make an appointment, please call 216.444.5517.
To reach the bone marrow failure team, please email PedsIBMF@ccf.org.
