Hemostasis and Thrombosis Program

Congenital and acquired bleeding disorders can be a serious problem, especially if surgery is anticipated. Also, blood clots in seriously ill patients as well as in children and adolescents born with inherited thrombophilia (a tendency to form clots) can lead to life-threatening problems and to long term conditions which affect quality of life.

UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh has a comprehensive Coagulation Clinic staffed by experts in hemostasis and thrombosis which provides complete diagnostic and management services. Immediate consultation is always available for serious bleeding or clotting problems. UPMC Children's hematologists work closely with the Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania to provide innovative treatments and comprehensive care for children and adolescents with hemophilia and other severe bleeding disorders. 

Since hemophilia is a lifelong problem, UPMC Children's hematologists collaborate with physical therapists, social workers, and family members to help children learn to manage their disorder and help adolescents.

Coagulation Clinic

The Coagulation Clinic cares for children and young adults through the diagnosis and management of all bleeding and clotting disorders with the exception of hemophilia. The bleeding disorders diagnosed and managed at the clinic include von Willebrand disease and platelet function abnormalities as well as rarer acquired and inherited disorders. Diagnosis and management of clots in the pediatric population is also a specialty of the clinic. 

All patients are seen and treated in the Marty Ostrow Hematology/Oncology Treatment Center. If inpatient therapy is necessary, the child will be admitted to the inpatient hematology service at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. All necessary blood tests are drawn in our clinic and analyzed at the cutting edge ITXM Diagnostics Laboratory of the Institute for Transfusion Medicine. In addition to patient care, our team also performs research to better understand the diagnosis and management of children with bleeding and clotting issues.