Comprehensive Care for Sickle Cell Anemia

Families with a child facing sickle cell anemia will find comprehensive treatment and support at the Haley Center for Children's Cancer and blood Disorders at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Our Sickle Cell Disease Program is the largest of its kind in Central Florida, providing diagnosis, treatment and long-term health management for children, adolescents and young adults up to 21 years of age with sickle cell disease of all types.

Because sickle cell anemia can affect many different parts of the body, managing this condition successfully requires the expertise of various medical specialists. Our Sickle Cell Disease Program involves multispecialty treatment by Arnold Palmer Hospital hematologists, neurologists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, orthopedic specialists, nurse practitioners, genetic counselors, psychologists and family counselors.

Our cross-functional team of pediatric specialists will work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan and strategies to minimize your child’s symptoms and avoid disease complications.

Services include:

• Diagnosis and treatment of neurovascular disease complications by pediatric neurosurgery specialists
• Diagnosis and treatment of avascular necrosis of joints by pediatric rehabilitation and orthopedic specialists
• Screening and treatment for pulmonary disease and hypertension by pediatric pulmonary and cardiology specialists
• Stroke risk assessment and treatment, including a transfusion service with red cell exchange transfusion
• State-of-the-art radiology imaging services with expertise in sickle cell imaging

Inpatient and Outpatient Care

We provide both inpatient and outpatient services for infants, children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia. Our hematology unit provides inpatient care for all complications of the disease, and our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit cares for patients with life-threatening complications.

Outpatient services focus on routine and preventive care for sickle cell disease. We provide most of the care for children with sickle cell anemia and other hemoglobinopathies outside of the hospital, in the comfort of the patient’s home.

Our dedicated infusion center provides services to children with sickle cell anemia and other hemoglobinopathies. Within this facility, we also provide IV fluid hydration, IV antibiotics, pain management and blood transfusions.

Newborn Screening Program

The Haley Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders receives referrals for all abnormal hemoglobinopathies found during infant screenings at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. Families of newborns who have an abnormal infant screening for hemoglobinopathies are contacted shortly after the infant is discharged from Orlando Health Winnie Palmer. Our program then provides confirmatory testing and initial education to parents with one of our designated hematology nurses. Early detection and treatment are critical to managing sickle cell anemia as your child grows.

For more information about the Sickle Cell Disease Program, please call (321) 841-8588.