In a new medical development, a five-year-old boy became the first to undergo the world's first-ever Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) to treat a rare immune disorder. The historic medical milestone is an important milestone for the treatment of blood and immune system disorders among children, opening new hopes of treating young kids with genetic ailments.

Master Abbas is from Waset, Iraq. He was diagnosed with a type of immune problem called Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), which is linked to a rare gene mutation called IKZF-1, extremely rare for his age. His health was further aggravated by not growing up normally, having serious lung disease, and having a leaky gut. His family had already suffered as his older brother had died of the same disease at the age of seven. They had already consulted different hospitals in India before approaching SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals in Gurugram. The doctors there told them that a bone marrow transplant was the only way of treating him.

One of the most significant difficulties in Abbas’s situation was the shortage of a fully matched Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) donor. Because of the urgency, the medical team went with a haploidentical BMT with a 50% HLA match, an option that had never been documented in children this age with CVID.

Finances also complicated the actual situation because Abbas’s father, who was in a wheelchair, could not afford the high cost of treatment. The community worked to raise funds, and SHALBY Sanar provided additional financial assistance, enabling the treatment to take place and save Abbas's life.

To undergo the transplant, Abbas underwent special medical care to address his chronic lung disease and gastric issues. The surgery was a success with the help of SHALBY Sanar's Blood Bank and Hemato-Pathology teams. In spite of the challenges, the transplant was a success, and Abbas has been sent home in stable condition.

"It was a challenging case but our hardworking team worked day and night to counter the odds," said Dr. Satyendra Katewa, Director & Head of the Department of Blood & Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapies at SHALBY Sanar. He appreciated the efforts of the medical team and reiterated the hospital's dedication to pushing the boundaries of state-of-the-art medical care.

A Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplant is a special type of stem cell therapy where the donor is a half-match relative, i.e., a parent or sibling. The method is vital for those without fully matched donors. The process involves intensive chemotherapy or radiation to kill cancerous bone marrow, followed by donor stem cells, which are introduced to rebuild healthy blood cells. Developments in immunosuppressive drugs have significantly enhanced success rates, rendering haploidentical BMT an option for those with poor donor prospects.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)