Webinar Archives on Thalassemia Topics
Following are webinars on a variety of topics that focus on a collection of inherited blood disorders called the thalassemias. These webinars have been developed through funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ashutosh Lal, MD
Professor of Pediatrics
UCSF School of Medicine
Director, Comprehensive Thalassemia Program
Co-Director, Bio-Iron Program
Hematology/Oncology
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
Elliott Vichinsky, MD
Professor of Pediatrics
UCSF School of Medicine
Director, Northern California Comprehensive Thalassemia Program
Medical Director, Hematology/Oncology
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
The introduction of effective red blood cell (RBC) transfusions 50 years ago was a critical step in transforming thalassemia from a severe, fatal anemia into a chronic condition. In this webinar, Dr. Vichinsky and Dr. Lal review the range of complications associated with RBC transfusions in thalassemia. They also describe the guidelines for transfusion therapy in beta thalassemia major, the most common form of transfusion-dependent thalassemia. The webinar will also address transfusions in alpha thalassemia major, and recommendations for non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia.
Thalassemia Management: Balancing Blood and Ironexternal icon
Janet L. Kwiatkowski, MD, MSCE
Director, Thalassemia Center of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
In this webinar, Dr. Kwiatkowski provides an overview of current, recommended treatments for people with thalassemia, with an emphasis on transfusion-dependent thalassemia. She discusses best practices in transfusion, as well as monitoring and treatment of iron overload.
Behavioral Strategies for Parents of Children with Thalassemiaexternal icon
Lauren Mednick, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Harvard Medical School, Boston Massachusetts
In this webinar, Dr. Mednick shares strategies that parents can use to help children with thalassemia effectively cope with medical treatments and procedures that may be necessary to maintain their health. This webinar was developed in collaboration with the Cooley’s Anemia Foundationexternal icon.
Two-part series: Thalassemia: Newborn Screening in the United States
This two-part webinar series is designed for medical professionals who are or may be responsible for screening, diagnosing, and treating hemoglobinopathies. The series was developed with expert guidance from the Hemoglobinopathy Laboratory Workgroup at the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL).external icon
Part 1: Alpha Thalassemia: Clinical Aspectsexternal icon
Presenters:
Tim Davis, Chair, BS
APHL Hemoglobinopathy Laboratory Workgroup, Microbiologist 3
Washington State Department of Health
Maria del Pilar Aguinaga, PhD, DLM (ASCP),
Co-Director, Sickle Cell Center
Meharry Medical College
A. Bender, MD,
Attending Physician, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Director of Odessa Brown Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic
Part 2: Alpha Thalassemia Newborn Screening in the United Statesexternal icon
Presenters:
Tim Davis, Chair, BS
APHL Hemoglobinopathy Laboratory Workgroup, Microbiologist 3,
Washington State Department of Health
Joseph Ubaike
Supervising Microbiologist,
Newborn Screening Section, Connecticut Department of Health
Christine Dorley, MSP, MT (ASCP),
Newborn Screening Division Manager,
Tennessee Department of Health Laboratory Services
The webinars provide information on the following:
- The clinical aspects of alpha thalassemia and other types of thalassemia
- The importance of newborn screening for thalassemia
- Current technologies used for newborn screening for thalassemia
- The current status of newborn screening for alpha thalassemia in the United States
