Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant

Bone marrow transplant also known as stem cell transplant or hematopoietic stem cell transplant is the process of replacing diseased or damaged cells with healthy non cancerous stem cells. This procedure is usually performed when normal stem cells in the bone marrow are destroyed by cancer treatment. It is also used when there are very low chances of treatment with chemotherapy. Basically bone marrow transplant is of two types and the type of procedure given to a child depends on the diagnosis. Autologous Autologous bone marrow transplant is the process where bone marrow of the patient is used. The blood cells or bone marrow are collected, frozen and then thawed when re uired for reinfusion. Autologous transplant is performed for patients suffering from solid tumors like !odgkin"s disease, neuroblastoma and brain tumors. Allogenic Allogenic transplant is conducted when blood cells or bone marrow is received from some donor instead of patient. The donor can be related, unrelated or cord blood. This transplant is performed for patients suffering from lymphomas and lukemia. #hen the doctor decides that bone marrow transplant is the most suitable treatment for a child they will e$plain entire procedure including the risks involved to the parents in detail. %ifferent tests will be performed to ensure that the child is healthy to tolerate the effects of transplant. The child is then given preparative treatment called conditioning before the transplant procedure. This includes giving high dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The purpose and type of conditioning depends on the diagnosis and may include & 'emoval of cancer (uppressing immune system in order to allow new cells to be accepted )ake space in the bone marrow to allow new cells to grow After conditioning process, stem cells are transmitted through the catheter inserted in the chest through a large vein. The transplanted blood cells will then flow through the blood stream to the bone marrow to start making 'B*s, #B*s and platelets. This may take around +,&-. days for sufficient amount of blood cells specially #B*s to be formed so that body can fight against the infection. About Fortis Healthcare /ortis !ealthcare is the best hospital offering state&of&art infrastructure facilities and ualified doctors and surgeons . #e are leading group of hospitals in India offering world class medical facilities backed by e$perienced doctors and cutting edge technology. /ortis offers centers of e$cellence for cardiac sciences, bone and 0oint, neuro sciences, renal sciences, gastro sciences, organ transplants and critical care.