Childhood Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

What Is Childhood Myelodysplastic Syndrome?

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a rare disease of the blood, occurring in just four out of every one million children. This rare blood disorder keeps the body from properly producing blood cells and producing enough of them. MDS develops in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy center of the long bones that produces the three major blood cells. With this disease, the blood cells lose their ability to mature and function properly.

Childhood MDS Treatment

Children with MDS are treated by our team of experts through the Bone Marrow Failure and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Program at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, one of the nation's most experienced, multidisciplinary teams at diagnosing and treating childhood MDS. Dana-Farber/Boston Children's has been designated a "Center of Excellence" by the MDS Foundation - the only large pediatric center in the country awarded this designation.

Find in-depth information about myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) on the Boston Children's Hospital website, including:

  • How is MDS in children diagnosed?
  • What are MDS treatment options?
  • What is the latest research on MDS?