COVID-19 outcomes in a large pediatric hematology-oncology center in Houston, Texas.

An understanding of the behavior of SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric hematology-oncology patients is essential to the optimal management of these patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study describes the characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 disease in children with cancer or hematologic disorders treated at a large children's hospital. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center from January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020.

An outpatient Urgent Care Bay within a pediatric cancer and hematology center.

Time-sensitive medical care is essential for pediatric patients undergoing treatment for a hematologic or oncologic condition. Such patients commonly experience acute symptoms related to routine childhood illness and/or their underlying disease or therapy. An Urgent Care Bay (UCB) staffed by a designated nurse and medical provider was established within Texas Children's Cancer Center Outpatient Clinic to provide time-sensitive, same-day diagnostic and therapeutic medical care during clinic hours for patients with acute, non-life-threatening symptoms.

Lupus anticoagulant assays: questions answered and to be answered.

Context: Lupus anticoagulants are antibodies with heterogenous specificities to phospholipids. They have been associated with clinical syndromes consisting of thrombosis and recurrent fetal loss.

Objective: To address questions about the laboratory assay aspects of lupus anticoagulants.

Increased pulmonary artery pressures among adolescents with sickle cell disease.

The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) among adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) is unknown. A tricuspid regurgitant (TR) jet peak velocity of 2.5 m/s or more is a screening test for PHT.

The role of bone marrow evaluation in the staging of patients with otherwise localized, low-risk neuroblastoma.

Background: Bone marrow aspirations and biopsies are standard staging procedures for neuroblastoma because the tumor frequently metastasizes to the bone marrow. The presence of bone marrow metastases indicates stage 4 or 4S neuroblastoma by International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) criteria; these stages are also associated with other metastatic sites of disease. We questioned whether bone marrow studies changed the staging or treatment of children with localized, completely resected tumors if there was no other evidence of metastatic spread.

Outcomes for children with gallbladder abnormalities and sickle cell disease.

Objective: To determine whether elective cholecystectomy is justifiable in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), gallbladder abnormalities, and minimal clinical symptoms.

Study Design: A retrospective review comparing clinical presentations and abdominal ultrasound results with outcomes in 146 children with SCD.

Results: Ultrasound examination showed sludge or stones in 83 of 146 children (57%).