Disorders of Platelets
Disorders of Platelets James F. Casella Maria A. Pelidis Clifford M. Takemoto Abnormalities of platelets may be quantitative (i.e., caused by reduced platelet number) or qualitative (i.e., caused by an…
General Approaches to Coagulopathies
General Approaches to Coagulopathies Clifford M. Takemoto James F. Casella INTRODUCTION Abnormalities of the hemostatic system are encountered commonly in hospitalized children, because primary diseases of hemostasis often require hospitalization,…
The Spleen and Lymph Nodes
The Spleen and Lymph Nodes Richard H. Sills The spleen and lymph nodes are the major components of the mononuclear-phagocyte system (MPS), serving as a filter removing damaged cells and…
Quantitative Granulocyte Disorders
Quantitative Granulocyte Disorders Donald H. Mahoney Jr. NEUTROPENIAS Neutropenia is defined as an absolute decrease in the number of circulatory neutrophils in the blood. The age and race of the…
Polycythemia
Polycythemia Yves D. Pastore C. Philip Steuber Polycythemia is an excess of erythrocytes in relation to blood volume (i.e., erythrocytosis). As blood volumes and hemoglobin levels vary with age, the…
Hypoplastic and Aplastic Anemias
Hypoplastic and Aplastic Anemias Paul L. Martin HYPOPLASTIC ANEMIAS The hypoplastic anemias (i.e., pure erythrocyte anemias, aregenerative anemias) constitute an uncommon group of congenital or acquired blood disorders characterized by…
Hemolytic Anemias
Hemolytic Anemias Paul L. Martin After release from the bone marrow, mature, nonnucleated erythrocytes survive for 100 to 120 days in the circulation. In the steady state, 1% of the…
Hemoglobinopathies and Thalassemias
Hemoglobinopathies and Thalassemias Paul L. Martin The genetic, molecular, and biochemical characteristics of human hemoglobin are well known. The genes for the polypeptide chains of hemoglobin are located on chromosomes…
Abnormalities of Rate and Rhythm
Abnormalities of Rate and Rhythm Bryan Cannon NORMAL SINUS RHYTHM The sinus node is located in the upper portion of the heart at the junction of the superior vena cava…
Nutritional Anemias
Nutritional Anemias Paul L. Martin The important nutritional anemias result from dietary deficiencies of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12. Deficiencies of other nutrients such as vitamins B6 and E…
