Dr. Eleny Romanos-Sirakis
North well SIUH, United States
Abstract Title:
Nutritional Deficiencies Leading to Pediatric Hematology Consultations: A Practical, Global Workshop for General Pediatricians
Biography:
Dr Eleny Romanos-Sirakis, MD, MS, and FAAP are the director of pediatric hematology/oncology at North well health SIUH and are an associate professor of pediatrics at the zucker school of medicine. In addition to her clinical role, she is a leader in medical education and research. Dr Romano’s oversees pediatric resident research at SIUH. She serves as the director of the hospital-wide resident medical educator track as well as the director of pediatric faculty development at SIUH. She is active in various national organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Society of pediatric hematology oncology and has held various leadership roles within these organizations. She is an accomplished clinician, author, researcher, leader and educator.
Research Interests:
Nutritional deficiencies are a common and potentially reversible cause of pediatric hematology consultations worldwide. Conditions such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 and folate deficiency, and vitamin C deficiency may present with anemia, bruising, fatigue, bone pain, developmental concerns, or abnormal laboratory findings that raise concern for serious hematologic disease. For general pediatricians, recognizing these deficiencies early can prevent unnecessary testing, referrals, and delays in treatment.
This interactive workshop will provide a practical, globally relevant approach to identifying and managing nutritional deficiencies that commonly prompt hematology consultation. The session will begin with a concise framework for evaluating children with suspected hematologic abnormalities, emphasizing key elements of history (dietary patterns, food insecurity, restrictive diets, and chronic illness), physical examination findings, and basic laboratory studies that can help differentiate nutritional deficiencies from more serious conditions.
participants will then engage in case-based discussions reflecting common clinical scenarios encountered in general pediatric practice, including severe iron deficiency with unexpected laboratory features, macrocytic anemia with neurologic symptoms due to vitamin B12 deficiency, foliate deficiency in children with chronic disease, and vitamin C deficiency presenting with bruising and musculoskeletal pain. Planned interactive components include live audience polling, small-group discussion, and guided interpretation of laboratory results and peripheral blood smear images.
The workshop will highlight common diagnostic pitfalls, such as misinterpretation of ferritin in inflammatory states, failure to recognize mixed nutritional deficiencies, and overuse of invasive testing. Evidence-based treatment strategies, expected clinical and laboratory response timelines and clear guidance on when to manage in primary care versus when to refer to hematology will be emphasized. Attention will be given to practical approaches applicable across diverse resource settings. Participants will leave with simple diagnostic algorithms and management tools to support confident, early care of nutritional deficiencies in children globally.
Keywords: nutrition, anemia, hematology
