Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder, predominately found in males, where the blood doesn't clot properly. Essentially, they lack the protein clotting factor that works with platelets to stop bleeding at an injury. The two most common types are A - defieiecy of clotting factor VIII and B - dificiency of clotting factor IX.
The Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health Hemophilia and Thrombophilia Center (HTC) provides comprehensive care for children of all ages with bleeding or clotting disorders and is located in the Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health Outpatient Center (ROC), a state-of-the-art facility built in 2001. At Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health patients and their families have prompt access to the complete roster of pediatric specialists and subspecialists whom they may require for their complex disorder. These specialists are all generally located under one roof including:
- Pediatric hematologists
- Pediatric nurse practitioners and nurses
- Pediatric social workers
- Pediatric general surgeons
- Pediatric orthopedic surgeons
- Pediatric physical and occupational therapists
- Pediatric dentists
- Pediatric infectious disease specialists
- Pediatric liver and gastrointestinal specialists
- Nutritionists
- Child life specialists
- Inpatient school teacher and school liaison
- Genetic counselors
- On-site pediatric pharmacy
- On-site special coagulation lab
Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health has provided the longest continuous comprehensive care for hemophiliacs in Indiana. The Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health HTC staff works closely with each patient to shape an individualized care plan, with the focus on creating a lifestyle that is as normal and as active as possible. Proper care and treatment of patients with bleeding disorders is a life-long commitment. By receiving comprehensive hemophilia care at a young age, patients are often able to focus not only on treating bleeding episodes, but also on preventing them.