Screening for Subjects to Participate in Studies of Blood Disorders

Study Summary

This study will determine eligibility for participation in research studies on blood disorders conducted by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases. Healthy volunteers, patients with blood disorders under study by NHLBI and NIDDK and potential stem cell donors for patients with blood disorders who are 8 years of age and older may be eligible for this screening protocol. (Healthy volunteers who qualify for research protocols would serve as control subjects.) Participants undergo the following tests and procedures: Healthy Volunteers * Medical history, physical examination, blood tests and urine sample collection. * Buccal mucosa sample collection. (Cells are collected from the inside of the cheek by gentle scraping with a bristly brush.) * Bone marrow aspiration (only for volunteers 18 years of age and older). Potential Stem Cell Donor -Same as for healthy volunteers plus evaluations that may include electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, imaging studies (X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and others), heart evaluation, and lung function tests. Patient with Blood Disorder * Same as for stem cell donors plus additional evaluations and treatments that may include radiation oncology evaluation, catheter placement, blood transfusions, kidney and liver biopsies. Short courses of drug treatment for induction of fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell patients, and/or iron chelation in patients receiving chronic red cell transfusions may be included as well.