A benign blood disorder is a non-cancerous health issue that affects the blood. They can cause pain, fatigue, and bleeding problems. Symptoms range from mild to severe.

They can involve any part of the blood, including:

• Red blood cells: Anemia is when you have too few red blood cells. Children with anemia may seem tired, pale, or weak because their bodies aren't getting enough oxygen. Adults often experience fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
• White blood cells: These cells fight infection. When they don't work properly, children may get sick more often or take longer to recover from colds and other illnesses. Adults may have frequent or severe infections that are harder to treat.
• Platelets and clotting proteins: Platelets and clotting proteins help blood form clots. If they're too low or don't work well, children may bruise easily or have nosebleeds. Adults may have similar bleeding problems, including a higher risk of internal bleeding. Too much clotting is also an issue, raising the risk of stroke or heart attack.

The good news? With proper care, you can live a full, healthy life. Our experts can help manage symptoms and prevent complications. We know how to support growth in kids with these disorders.

We treat a wide range of benign blood disorders.

Red blood cell problems

Red blood cell problems affect how oxygen moves through the body. Examples include:

• Iron deficiency anemia: When the body doesn’t have enough iron to make enough healthy red blood cells. Anemia is often short-lived and affects both kids and adults.
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia: The body’s immune system attacks its red blood cells.
• Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood: A temporary drop in red blood cells. It often happens after a virus. It’s childhood-specific. Kids typically recover in a month or so, even without treatment.

There are also many genetic conditions that cause benign blood disorders and need lifelong care. 

• Sickle cell disease: A genetic condition that causes red blood cells to become stiff and sickle-shaped. It can cause anemia, pain, and other complications.
• Hereditary spherocytosis: Red blood cells are misshapen, leading to anemia. It can be mild or severe.
• G6PD deficiency: A genetic disorder that can cause red blood cells to break down too fast. Certain foods or medicines can trigger it.

White blood cell conditions

White blood cell issues affect the cells that help fight infection. Examples include:

• Benign neutropenia: A lower-than-normal white blood cell count. It doesn’t usually cause symptoms or lead to frequent infections. We often find it by chance during a routine blood test in both kids and adults.
• Chronic benign neutropenia of childhood: This is a specific type of benign neutropenia seen in young kids. It usually improves on its own. Most kids outgrow it by age 4 or 5.
• Leukocyte adhesion disorder: A rare, lifelong condition where white blood cells lack a certain protein. It can lead to frequent soft-tissue infections.

Bleeding and clotting issues

Bleeding conditions can cause easy bruising or bleeding that doesn’t stop, including frequent nosebleeds. Examples include:

• Immune thrombocytopenia: The immune system destroys platelets. It can affect both kids and adults. In kids, it often follows a virus and resolves, while in adults, it’s more likely chronic.
• Von Willebrand disease: The most common inherited bleeding disorder. The body doesn’t produce enough of a certain clotting protein. It’s lifelong and needs care into adulthood.
• Platelet function disorders: When platelets don’t work right. These can persist into adulthood.
• Hemophilia A or B: Genetic conditions that slow clotting. Hemophilia can be mild or severe. This disease is lifelong and requires ongoing care.

Clotting disorders make the blood more likely to form clots than normal. These are inherited, lifelong conditions. They can be a key health factor later in life, for example, during pregnancy, birth control use, or surgery.

• Factor V Leiden mutation: A genetic problem that raises the risk of blood clots.
• Prothrombin gene mutation: Another inherited risk for clots.
• Protein C or S deficiency: Natural clot-fighting proteins are too low. Raises risk for clots.
• Antiphospholipid syndrome: An immune system disorder that causes increased clotting. More often diagnosed in adults, though it can occasionally affect kids.

Other common blood concerns

Some issues are temporary or related to nutrition or illness. Examples include:

• Anemia of chronic disease: Common in both adults and kids with long-term illnesses like cancer.
• Vitamin deficiencies: Low B12 or folate can affect red blood cells. These can happen at any age.
• Cyclic neutropenia: A recurring drop in white blood cells, often every few weeks.

We offer a wide range of care for benign blood disorders. Treatments include: 

• Supplements: Depending on the disorder, vitamins or iron supplements can boost healthy red blood cells. If iron supplements don’t help, an iron infusion is the next step.
• Medications: Different medicines work in different ways. Some can help increase blood cell production, while others can decrease an overactive immune response or treat symptoms. These may include steroids, immunotherapy, and other medicines.
• Bleeding management: Includes infusions, nasal sprays, and special care before surgeries or dental work.
• Blood transfusions: To replace missing or damaged blood cells fast.
• Monitoring: When no treatment is necessary beyond regular checkups and education.
• Genetic counseling: Helps understand risks and long-term health planning for inherited conditions.
• Education and care planning: We guide you on how to live with benign blood disorders. For parents, that could include symptoms to watch for, when to call the doctor, and how to manage school and sports.