Child With Severe Aplastic Anemia Overcomes Odds With Innovative Transplant Procedure

10-Year-Old Boy Successfully Undergoes Life-Saving Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplant at Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mumbai.

Abdullah Harnekar, a 10-year-old boy, faced a life-threatening condition after being diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia. His condition, where the bone marrow fails to produce essential blood cells, required frequent blood and platelet transfusions every fortnight. Abdullah’s family, devastated by his diagnosis, searched for treatment options to save his life. Though they faced the difficult decision of choosing between immunosuppressive therapy or bone marrow transplantation, his parents decided to pursue a transplant despite no full match being available.

Under The Care Of

Abdullah’s elder brother, Dr Priti Mehta, senior haematoma Oncology and BMT consultant at Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital in Mumbai, was identified as a haploidentical (half-match) donor. He underwent a T-replete stem cell transplant, an economical procedure that eliminates the need for costly T depletion kits, saving the family lakhs of rupees. Dr Mehta and her team at Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital guided Abdullah and his family through the complex treatment with careful precision, ensuring that the transplant went smoothly.

• “With careful preparation and expert care, we can offer advanced treatments like haploidentical bone marrow transplants even without a full match,” said Dr. Priti Mehta. “Every child has a potential donor, and this case highlights that we can provide life-saving solutions at a lower cost while maintaining high standards of care.”
• Abdullah’s recovery was remarkable. After spending one month in the hospital, he was discharged and has been thriving at home for the past two months with no signs of graft vs. host disease.
• “We were scared and uncertain about the future. But Dr Mehta and her team gave us hope and guided us through every step of the process,” said Abdullah’s father.”

Aplastic Anaemia

Though rare, it is a severe condition affecting many children nationwide. This case showcases the importance of seeking advanced medical treatments like haploidentical transplants, which can be performed economically and successfully. Dr Mehta emphasizes, “In today’s day and age, with proper training and resources, we can offer the best possible care to every child, ensuring they live healthy lives.”

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