Children’s immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and platelet disorders centre

Conditions we treat

Our service primarily looks after patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a condition where the immune system attacks platelets and causes a low platelet count. We also see patients with other platelet disorders. The centre is embedded within the wider paediatric haematology and bone marrow transplant (BMT) service at St Mary's Hospital, which also specialises in the management of children with haemoglobinopathies and red cell disorders, stem cell transplantation, bone marrow failure syndromes and Level 2 Shared Care for children with malignancies.

Our children’s haematology clinics benefit from the support of a clinical nurse specialist and the paediatric haematology service as a whole, including a dedicated haematology day care unit and inpatient facilities if required. Children with other general haematological problems may also be investigated in the clinic.

Patients with ITP may require treatment with a short course of steroids or intravenous (IV) immunoglobulin if they have significant bleeding symptoms, but these are not usually required for patients coming to routine clinic appointments.

For adolescent transition of children with ITP there is a clinic every three months in conjunction with Dr Nichola Cooper, Adult and Paediatric ITP specialist nurses, with additional multidisciplinary team input as required. Our service sees in excess of 80 children with ITP yearly.

Children who are diagnosed with disorders such as ITP may require urgent treatment for bleeding, and this is supported by our children's accident and emergency (A&E) department, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and also by access to the paediatric haematology day care and inpatient facilities, with 24-hour paediatric haematology consultant cover.

Further online resources

• ITP support association

Clinics

Our clinic is held once a week in the children’s outpatients department at St Mary’s Hospital.

Address

Paediatric Haematology Day Unit
Sixth floor
Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother (QEQM) building
St Mary’s Hospital
Praed Street
London W2 1NY

Hours

Thursdays from 13.30 to 16.30

Contact information

Clinical nurse specialist: Ana Cabrera
Phone: 07584 182122

Dr Cooper's secretary
Tel: 020 3312 6157

Meet the team

Clinical lead

Dr Nichola Cooper, haematology consultant

Consultants

Dr Josu de la Fuente
Dr Leena Karnik
Dr Kirsten Lund
Dr Toni Petterson
Dr Adam Gassas

Clinical nurse specialist

Ana Cabrera

Patient information

Find out what to expect when you come to hospital for your child's immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and platelet disorders appointment.

Before your child’s appointment

Your child is likely to have been referred by your GP or a hospital doctor due to bleeding issues or thrombosis. They will usually be seen within two to eight weeks, sooner if urgent. A clinical nurse specialist may contact you to arrange blood tests beforehand. Please bring a list of medications and any past blood test results.

During your child’s appointment

Please note that we are a teaching hospital, so medical students may be present. If you prefer they not attend, let a staff member know.

Appointments are in the children’s haematology day unit on the sixth floor of the QEQM building. Wait time is around 30 minutes, and appointments last about 30 minutes. Your child will be seen by Dr Cooper or a colleague and a clinical nurse specialist. Blood tests or scans may be arranged.

After your child’s appointment

Depending on diagnosis, your child may be referred elsewhere or followed up locally. Play specialists may assist with blood tests if needed.

Referrals

GP and secondary care referrals

Please use NHS e-Referrals to refer a patient to our children's immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and platelet disorders centre.

GP advice

GPs may call Dr Cooper's secretary for referral advice on 020 3312 6164.