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Glossary of terms

anemia

a blood disorder caused by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells)

See also AnemiaCancer (oncology)Children's Memorial Center for Cancer and Blood DisordersWill thrives thanks to sickle cell expertise

hemolytic anemia

a general term used to describe when red blood cells, which help carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, are broken down faster than the bone marrow is able to produce them

See also Hemolytic anemia

hemophilia (also called a coagulation disorder)

an inherited bleeding disorder caused by low levels, or absence of, a blood protein that is essential for clotting; hemophilia A is caused by a lack of the blood clotting protein factor VIII; hemophilia B is caused by a deficiency of factor IX.

See also Children's Memorial Center for Cancer and Blood DisordersHemophiliaHemophilia and thrombophilia programA Day's Anatomy - Inside the life of a pediatric resident

immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

a blood disorder characterized by an abnormal decrease in the number of blood platelets, which results in internal bleeding.

See also Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)

neutropenia

a disorder in which the body does not have enough neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps fight bacterial infections

See also Neutropenia

platelet function disorders

disorders that keep the blood from clotting normally

See also Children's Memorial Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

sickle cell - hemoglobin C disease

a term used to describe having one copy of the gene which causes sickle cell anemia (HbS) and one copy of another altered hemoglobin gene (HbC); this blood disorder is similar to sickle cell anemia.

See also Sickle cell disease

sickle cell - hemoglobin E disease

a term used to describe having one copy of the gene which causes sickle cell anemia (HbS) and one copy of another altered hemoglobin gene (HbE); this blood disorder may/may not cause clinical symptoms except under stress (exhaustion, infection, etc.).

sickle cell anemia (hemoglobin SS)

the most common form of sickle cell disease; typically associated with significant anemia and often has the most severe complications

See also Sickle cell disease

sickle cell disease

an inherited blood disorder that is characterized by production of abnormal hemoglobin, which is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues

See also A Night at the Theater to Support Sickle Cell ResearchCooperative Sickle Cell Donor ProgramSickle cell diseaseSickle cell programA Day's Anatomy - Inside the life of a pediatric residentWill thrives thanks to sickle cell expertise

thrombocytopenia

a decrease in the number of circulating platelets (a blood component that promotes clotting)

See also Children's Memorial Center for Cancer and Blood DisordersHemophilia and thrombophilia program

von Willebrand disease

the most common of inherited bleeding disorders caused by an abnormality in the von Willebrand factor, which is necessary for platelets to be able to attach themselves to a vein or artery to form a clot to stop bleeding.

See also Children's Memorial Center for Cancer and Blood DisordersHemophilia and thrombophilia programVon Willebrand disease


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