Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : May 16, 2015 11:02 AM IST
Bone Marrow Transplant
In a first of its kind medical treatment, a 12-year-old Iraqi boy, Zaid Ali Khadim, gets a new lease of life after undergoing a rare but successful stem cell transplant to get treated for Fanconi Anaemia. A team headed by Vikas Dua, Consultant, Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon performed the treatment. According to the doctor, this is the first successful half matched bone marrow transplant for Fanconi Anaemia in India.
The background
A rare genetic disorder, Fanconi anaemia is a type of inherited bone marrow failure syndrome. In this, the patient s body is unable to produce RBCs and thus needs to undergo blood transfusion frequently. As these patients reach the age of 40, 90% of them tend to develop bone marrow failure while the remaining 10% suffer from cancer.
Zaid Ali Khadim was admitted to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with the condition. After obtaining positive results, the transplant was carried out. In most cases, bone marrow transplant is the only way to treat these patients. This involves replacing the disease forming blood cells with healthy stem cells from the donor. (Read: 10 facts you must know about blood transfusion)
Interview with Dr Vikas Dua
Tell us about the transplant
Zaid underwent a haploidentical stem cell transplant which means that the bone marrow was taken from a person with 50% matched Human Leukocyte Antigen. As the patient didn t have a full match donor a brother or a sister, stem cells from the patient s father were taken for transplant.
Can stem cells from the parents be used?
The mother and father contribute 50% each to the child s Human Leukocyte Antigen. Although stem cells from either parents match only 50%, there is a high chance of rejection as well.
How is this case different?
In this case, the transplant was carried out with 45-year-old father being the donor, half matched donor. However, the transplant was 100% successful and the patient is recovering very well. Here are 8 surprising diseases stem cells can cure.
How was the condition diagnosed?
Fanconi anaemia can be detected with a simple blood test known as chromosomal breakage study. Once blood is drawn out, it takes around ten days for the results to be out. In case of Zaid, he was kept under observation during this time and was given supportive medications (like antibiotics and medications to treat fever).
How was the treatment carried out?
After getting positive results, bone marrow transplant was carried out. It is similar to blood donation where stem cells found in blood are injected from the donor to the recipient. The process took approximately 24 hours (one day). Once done, the patient was kept under observation for four weeks at the hospital. (Read: Facts you should know about blood donation)
What is the success rate of such a transplant?
The success of a transplant depends on various factors like how close the match is between child and donor and the patient's age. But in case of matched siblings it is the best. The success rate of this type of transplant is usually 40 50%.
What precautions were taken after the transplant?
The patient was on medications after the transplant to prevent any infection. He was under observation for few months.
How is the patient doing now?
It's been six months since the transplant was carried out. The patient is recovering very well. This is the reason that the transplant has been claimed to be 100% successful. (Read: Side effects of bone marrow transplant)
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