Why choose Cook Children's Bleeding Disorders Program
Scrapes and cuts are a fact of life for kids. For most, a simple bandage can slow and stop any bleeding. But children with a bleeding disorder need extra care. Bleeding disorders occur when the blood doesn't clot properly, making it difficult to stop bleeding. At Cook Children's, these issues don't have to get in the way of an active, busy childhood. Our team delivers nationally recognized care that helps children with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders feel their best.
What you can expect
We're one of the few Centers for Disease Control (CDC)-approved Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) in Texas. We care for kids with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders every day. We know it's more than managing bleeds or tracking treatments. It's about helping your child stay active, feel confident and live fully. Our experienced team provides specialized care, including advanced treatments and support tailored to your child's needs. We offer:
Your child receives care from a pediatric blood doctor (hematologist) with extra training in bleeding disorders like hemophilia. They know the latest treatments and take time to understand your child and family. Together, we create a care plan that feels manageable, supportive and just right for your child's needs.
Your hematologist works closely with a specially trained nurse, physical therapist and social worker with a focus on children with bleeding disorders. Other specialties at Cook Children’s, such as orthopedics, gynecology and ear, nose and throat surgeons, may also be involved in your child’s care. Your child’s bleeding disorder team will work to coordinate visits and care to minimize trips to our medical center while optimizing outcomes for your child.
We're here when you need us, even between appointments. You can often get quick answers to common questions through the MyCookChildren's patient portal. In addition, we may be able to provide care for your child through a home video visit.
Some children with bleeding disorders need medicine that goes into a vein. In some cases, we're able to evaluate bleeding and help with giving the medicine your child needs in clinic to help you avoid a trip to the emergency department.
Our bleeding disorders program takes part in studies that follow kids over many years. These studies help us learn more about how well treatments work and how we can keep improving care. We also participate in exciting research that aims to reduce and prevent complications from bleeding disorders. This research helps children stay active, feel better and enjoy more of their favorite activities.
Your personalized care team
- Katie Carpenter, RN
Advancing bleeding disorders care
As a CDC-recognized Hemophilia Treatment Center, Cook Children's participates in and leads important hemophilia research. We aim to improve treatments, reduce complications and ultimately find a cure for bleeding disorders.
Research includes observational studies in which we track how patients are doing over time. We're also testing a new treatment for hemophilia B. Given as a daily injection, this medicine helps balance the blood's clotting system and may work even for patients whose bodies reject standard treatments. Learn about active hematology clinical trials.
Infusions of clotting factor replacement and other treatments improve your child's ability to stop bleeding. Most patients safely receive these hemophilia treatments at home.
- Mild to moderate cases may need treatment only if something causes a bleed.
- Severe cases require preventive treatment to reduce the chances of bleeds occurring on their own. Your child may need infusions several times a week.
We explain how to spot signs of a bleed, prevent bleeds and perform home infusions. You can practice these skills in our office using a pretend arm with fake veins and blood. Our approach helps you feel more confident managing your child's care.
A physical therapist specializing in hemophilia pays careful attention to your child's physical activity and joint health. They provide guidance on how to keep your child safe while living an active lifestyle. At clinic visits, we check how well joints are working and give advice on handling bleeds in ways that keep your child's joints healthy.
Our social worker is here to make living with a bleeding disorder easier for your child and family. They assist with insurance matters to ensure your child can access the treatments they need. They also help ease any stress or anxiety you or your child may be experiencing.
Bleeding disorder specialists create plans to prevent excess bleeding when your child needs other medical care. Before any procedures, especially those involving the mouth, our specialists talk with the other doctors to ensure safe treatment.
Ailihpomeh is "hemophilia" spelled backward because it's where kids with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders find sense of belonging. It's a summer camp where boys aged 7 to 14 come together from all over Texas to have fun and learn about life with a bleeding disorder. Learn more about our summer camps.
Moments of magic
Hope and healing happen every day here at Cook Children's. Discover some of our highlights.
