Thalassemia care

As people with thalassemia live longer, healthier lives, they often need care that considers and addresses the unique challenges of adulthood. The Penn Comprehensive Adult Thalassemia Program connects you with specialists who understand the long-term effects of thalassemia, helping you take a more active role in managing your health. We provide access to adult-focused services and treatment options, including gene therapy for eligible adults.

Our team works closely with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to help young adults transition from pediatric care and continue receiving expert thalassemia treatment. This approach provides access to experienced clinicians who manage the health issues that can develop over time while ensuring care continues seamlessly into adulthood. Because of our specialized expertise and advanced therapies, adults from across the United States seek care at Penn Medicine.

Your care team may include a hematologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist, or bone marrow transplant specialist. Together, these providers monitor your health, manage complications, and evaluate treatment options as your needs change. By bringing care together in one place, we can develop a coordinated thalassemia care plan tailored to you.

We treat all forms of thalassemia with research-backed therapies. By partnering with Penn Medicine, you’ll have access to:

• A skilled medical team: Our hematologists have specialized expertise in red blood cell disorders, including conditions that affect hemoglobin, the protein involved in thalassemia. Recognized as leaders in adult thalassemia care, they work closely with experienced nurses and nurse practitioners to provide knowledgeable, coordinated care.
• Advanced treatment options: We offer the latest medications, gene therapy for eligible adults, and access to innovative therapies through clinical trials.
• A smooth transition to adult care: Through our partnership with the Thalassemia Center at CHOP, we help young adults move from pediatric to adult care with continuity, guidance, and support. Most young adults transition between the ages of 18 and 24.
• Dedicated support: A nurse navigator serves as your main point of contact, helping coordinate care, answer questions, and connect you with additional resources.
• Safe transfusion and iron management: We provide experienced transfusion care and ongoing monitoring for iron overload using advanced imaging and chelation therapy when needed.
• Flexible care planning: Our team collaborates with health care providers in your community so you can stay connected to Penn Medicine while receiving routine care closer to home.

Together, these services provide coordinated support for adults living with thalassemia at every stage of life.