Bone Marrow Failure Program

Our physician-scientists are nationally known for treating children and teens with bone marrow failure. We form a multidisciplinary team to diagnose and treat your child. We tailor the team to your child’s needs, with experts in marrow failure, genetics and the immune system (immunologists).  

Our experience helps us find the specific cause of your child’s bone marrow failure. Although rare, it may be related to an abnormal gene passed down from parents to children (inherited). Our genetic counselor can talk with you about the pros and cons of genetic testing and explain test results.

Bone marrow failure can affect your child’s body in many ways and may increase their risk of cancer. Your child will get expert care from specialists in the many body systems that may be affected, including oncologists, if needed. At regular visits, we check your child and do tests to prevent and treat problems early.

The doctors who will guide your child’s care are board certified in pediatric oncology-hematology. This means they are approved to give the special care your child needs and they constantly expand their knowledge about blood disorders.

For some children, bone marrow failure is cured by a transfusion of young blood-forming cells from a healthy donor. This is called a stem cell transplant. Our Non-Malignant Transplant Program specializes in stem cell transplants for children with noncancer disorders. Our transplant team is very experienced in preparing children for transplant and helping them recover.

We do the transplants here at Seattle Children’s, working closely with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Fred Hutch pioneered stem cell transplants and is one of the largest stem cell transplant centers in the world.

See statistics and outcomes for details on the number of stem cell transplants we do each year and survival rates for children who receive them.

We are active in national and international research groups that work to understand causes, improve care and find cures for blood disorders and bone marrow failure. We take part in registries that collect data about patients to help us learn more about diseases and improve treatments. These include:

• Shwachman Diamond Syndrome Registry
• North American Pediatric Aplastic Anemia Consortium (NAPAAC)
• Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry (SCNIR)

At Seattle Children’s our physician-scientists work to:

• Better understand how the body makes and balances blood cells and how this may relate to blood disorders
• Improve treatments for children with blood conditions
• Find the causes of these conditions
• Reduce complications and side effects for children who need stem cell transplants

Through our partnership in the SCCA, our patients who need stem cell transplants have access to promising new therapies offered only in research studies. These studies are called clinical or therapeutic trials. They may involve gene therapy, new conditioning treatments or options for children who do not have good donor choices for stem cell transplants. 

Having a child with bone marrow failure can be stressful for the whole family. We help you fully understand your treatment options and make the choices that are right for your family.

Our child life specialists and social workers help your child and your family through the challenges of these conditions. They can connect you to community resources and support groups. 

We care for your whole child — not just their disease. Your family has a full team behind you. As needed, your child will receive care from specialists in nutrition, pain management, pharmacy, physical therapy and emotional health.  Read more about the supportive care we offer.

We work with many children and families from around the Northwest and beyond. Whether you live nearby or far away, we can help with financial counseling, schooling, housing, transportation, interpreter services and spiritual care. Read about our services for patients and families.