Introduction to a review series on pediatric hematology

Commissioned and introduced by Associate Editors Irene Roberts and Thomas Ortel, this Review Series focuses on common areas in pediatric hematology practice, emphasizing new therapeutic and diagnostic developments. The specific challenges of managing hemostatic and thrombotic disorders in children are described by O’Brien and Zia. Distinguishing acquired immune diseases from inherited disorders of blood counts is a common problem for pediatric hematologists, and this is tackled in reviews by Grace and Lambert for thrombocytopenias and by Dokal et al for bone marrow failure. Finally, Gallagher provides a stepwise approach to the diagnosis and treatment of anemia in infancy and childhood, at both the individual patient level and the population level.