Pediatric Hematology Clinic

The Pediatric Hematology Clinic is held each Wednesday and is led by pediatric hematologist Dr. Courtney Thornburg, as well as two physician extenders, a nurse coordinator, a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellow, and a social worker.

 

Dr. Thornburg completed a National Hemophilia Foundation Fellowship in Hemostasis and Thrombosis and has a particular interest in children with bleeding and thrombotic disorders.

 

The clinic provides comprehensive care for patients with bleeding and thrombotic disorders. Bleeding disorders include coagulation factor deficiencies such as hemophilia, von Willebrand disorder, platelet function disorders, and acquired bleeding tendencies. Thrombotic disorders include evaluation and treatment of venous and arterial thrombosis and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Approximately 2 to 4 new patients with hemorrhagic or thrombotic disorders, and 1 to 5 return patients, are seen in this clinic each week. In addition, ~20 to 30 patients with hemophilia are followed for ongoing care.

 

The Pediatric Hematology Clinic is located in the Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center, Fourth floor. Outpatient administration of recombinant factor products, blood products, and other parenteral agents is performed five days a week in the Valvano Day Hospital, located on the same floor as the Clinic

 

All patients seen in the clinic are approached for participation in a patient registry sponsored by the Hemostasis & Thrombosis Centers Research and prevention Network sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The purpose of this registry is to determine the types of clinical disorders referred to providers in the clinic, referral patterns, and diagnostic and therapeutic interventions performed by clinicians in the Center. The participating centers in this program are listed at the CDC Hemostasis & Thrombosis Centers. Dr. Thornburg also participates in the Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Clinical Trials Network to improve care of children with bleeding and thrombotic disorders.