Eight-month-old Pakistani infant Rayan has become the youngest bone marrow donor in India by donating healthy bone marrow stem cells to his elder sister, who underwent successful transplant at a city hospital in Bengaluru.
The two-and-a-half-year-old Zeenia, hailing from Sahiwal in Pakistan, was suffering from Hemaphagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare disease in which bone marrow produces some abnormal cells which eat away the normal cells, resulting in high fever, low blood counts, and liver and spleen enlargement, doctors said.
Calling it a potentially life-threatening disorder, doctors said the only cure for this condition was bone marrow transplant. Zeenia was also diagnosed to have partial albinism since birth, they added.
Dr Sunil Bhat, Senior Consultant and Head of Pediatric Hematology, 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.
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 anesthetists and other members, we have successfully extracted enough marrow which helped cure Zeenia," he added.
Rayan has not only saved his sister, he also has the unique distinction of being the youngest marrow donor in India.Dr Sunil Bhat
Doctors said the procedure was conducted in October and now, Zeenia is cured of her "deadly disease" and ready to leave for Pakistan to lead a normal life.
The doctors also said Rayan was doing "exceptionally" well and fine.
Stating that there was "general fear factor" when they landed in India, Zeenia's father Zia Ulla said his daughter was now fine and recovering.
From the time we landed following immigration I would say it was a very pleasant surprise... everyone was very fine and friendly.Zeenia’s father
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)