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Polycythemia is a rare blood disorder that occurs when there are too many red blood cells circulating in the bloodstream. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. Polycythemia causes the blood to thicken, making it more difficult for the blood to flow through the body to the organs.
Polycythemia can be divided into two overarching categories:
Children with polycythemia are treated at the Blood Disorders Center within the Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, where children and young adults receive care from pediatric hematologists with deep experience in the conditions they treat.
Learn more
Find more in-depth information on polycythemia on the Boston Children's Hospital website, including answers to:
New Patient Appointments 617-355-8246