8-Month-Old Baby Becomes Youngest Donor Ever

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Brother Donates Marrow To Save Toddler Sister’s Life In Bengaluru

An 8-month-old Pakistani baby named Rayan has donated his bone marrow stem cells, to save the life of his two-and-a-half-year-old sister, Zeenia.

The transplant successfully took place at a hospital in Bengaluru.

Zeenia has a rare disease called Hemaphagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), in which bone marrow produces some abnormal cells that eat away the normal cells. The condition results in high fever, low blood counts, liver and spleen enlargement, doctors said.

Doctors said the only cure for this condition was a bone marrow transplant.

Dr Sunil Bhat, Head of Pediatric Hematology at Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Narayana Health City hospital said:

“After we diagnosed the girl was suffering from HLH, we discovered that her brother was Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match for her,”

He added that “As the donor is just eight months old to collect the adequate dosage, he was required to undergo the donation process twice at a gap of only few weeks,”

“By using small marrow extraction needles and with the assistance of a team of anaesthetists and other members, we have successfully extracted enough marrow which helped cure Zeenia. Rayan has not only saved his sister, he also has the unique distinction of being the youngest marrow donor in India,”

The procedure was conducted in October, and Zeenia is now cured of her disease and can lead a normal life. She will, of course, need to have the necessary follow-ups.