How Social Media and Medical Brilliance Saved a Toddler’s Life in India’s First Blood Group-Incompatible MMA Liver Transplant

Kochi — In a historic milestone for Indian pediatric healthcare, a two-year-old boy from Delhi named Umar has successfully received a lifesaving liver transplant at Rajagiri Hospital in Kochi. The surgery is notable as it is the first of its kind in India for treating methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) — a rare genetic disorder — and was performed despite a blood group mismatch between donor and recipient.

MMA is a rare inherited metabolic condition caused by the body’s inability to process certain proteins and fats properly, leading to a harmful buildup of substances in the blood. This accumulation can cause organ damage, especially to the liver and brain, and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Umar began showing signs of illness within days of birth, including vomiting, poor feeding, and episodes of unconsciousness. Doctors at AIIMS Delhi confirmed the diagnosis but were unable to proceed with a transplant due to a lack of pediatric infrastructure.

With options running out, a doctor from AIIMS shared Umar’s medical emergency on social media in hopes of finding support. The appeal was seen by Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a liver disease expert at Rajagiri Hospital, who quickly offered both medical and financial assistance to the family. In response, Umar’s family made the over 2,500-kilometer journey from Delhi to Kerala.

This surgery not only saved Umar’s life but also set a national precedent. It marked the first time in India that a liver transplant for MMA was performed despite an incompatible blood type between the donor — Umar’s mother — and the recipient.

To reduce the risk of immune rejection, the medical team followed a specialized treatment protocol.

“In transplants involving blood group incompatibility, the body’s immune system may reject the new liver. Umar was given plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive therapy to reduce antibodies in his system before surgery. This protocol, significantly more expensive than standard procedures, was essential for the transplant’s success,” added Dr. Biju, senior consultant - GI, HPB and Multiorgan Transplant Surgery at Rajagiri Hospital..

The cost of such a complex procedure could have been a major barrier. However, Rajagiri Hospital stepped in to fully fund the surgery and follow-up care, totaling approximately ₹40 lakh.

Umar’s post-operative recovery has been remarkable. His methylmalonic acid levels dropped dramatically — from 32,000 to just 600 — and he is now eating normally for the first time in his life.

(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM/SE)