Pakistani Parents Witness Lifesaving Stem Cell Transplant at China National Children’s Medical Center
China Health Trip brings you real-life stories of patients who experienced world-class medical care in China. Explore the case below for more inspiration.
On the morning of October 8, 2024, at the Hematology Department of the National Children’s Medical Center, Fudan University Children’s Hospital, a Pakistani couple stood vigil inside and outside the transplant chamber, witnessing a miraculous moment. After three months of seeking medical treatment across borders and with the dedicated care of Shanghai specialists, their newborn’s umbilical cord blood stem cells were infused into their 2-year-old daughter, bringing new hope to her rare neurological condition.
A 2-Year-Old with a Rare Neurological Disorder: Pakistani Parents Seek Treatment in China
Anna (pseudonym), a two-year-old girl from Pakistan, living with her parents in Saudi Arabia, began to show signs of imbalance, frequent falls, strabismus, and weak grip at the age of one and a half. Local hospitals diagnosed her with a rare neurological metabolic disorder called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy after MRI and genetic tests. The doctors informed her parents that the disease would progressively damage her nervous system, ultimately leading to death. Desperate for a cure, Anna’s parents sought help everywhere. With the assistance of Chinese friends, they learned that Fudan University Children’s Hospital in Shanghai could treat this condition through stem cell transplantation. They contacted Professor Zhou Shuizhen, a neurology expert at the hospital, confirming that this treatment was indeed available and feasible. Anna’s parents then promptly established contact with the hospital’s International Consultation Hall.
They learned that Metachromatic Leukodystrophy primarily affects the nervous system and is a rare genetic metabolic disorder. The hospital explained that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation could correct the metabolic abnormalities caused by genetic defects, halting the progression of the neurological disease and effectively saving lives. Fudan’s transplant team had been among the first in China to perform stem cell transplantation for such diseases, publishing their clinical research results in an international medical journal in 2022, garnering attention from peers worldwide. To date, the team had treated 39 patients with this condition, with many more waiting for matching donors. Reassured by this information, Anna’s parents felt confident and eagerly awaited their journey to China.
Multidisciplinary Consultations Lay Out the Best Treatment Plan
After collecting and organizing all of Anna’s medical records and examination reports, Fudan University Children’s Hospital organized the first online multidisciplinary consultation on July 11, 2024. This included prominent experts such as hospital president and neuroscience leader Professor Wang Yi, clinical genetics director Professor Huang Taosheng, hematology leader Professor Zhai Xiaowen, and several other specialists. They evaluated, analyzed, and diagnosed Anna’s condition, ultimately determining a stem cell transplantation treatment plan and specific steps. With the hospital’s assistance, Anna’s family quickly obtained medical visas for China.
On July 29, Anna’s family traveled to Shanghai and were admitted to the international department of Fudan University Children’s Hospital. The expert team conducted comprehensive examinations and matching tests for Anna. Anna’s mother, who was also pregnant and nearing her due date, was considered a potential source of umbilical cord blood stem cells for Anna’s treatment. On August 1, a second multidisciplinary consultation was organized, including experts from Fudan University Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. They decided to perform amniotic fluid testing and matching to confirm whether the unborn baby could provide stem cells for Anna’s transplant. The next day, Anna’s mother underwent a prenatal examination and amniocentesis at Fudan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. Fortunately, the genetic and matching reports confirmed that the newborn’s umbilical cord blood stem cells could be used for Anna’s transplant.
With all evaluations, matching, and genetic reports completed, a third multidisciplinary consultation was held on August 29, involving experts from Fudan University Children’s Hospital, Fudan University Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, and the Shanghai Cord Blood Bank. They discussed the detailed arrangements for the newborn’s birth, umbilical cord blood collection, transportation, preparation, and storage, as well as Anna’s transplant schedule.
A Three-Month “Relay for Life” Brings New Hope to the Family
On September 11, 2024, Anna’s baby sibling was born safely at Fudan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. The obstetricians collected the newborn’s umbilical cord blood, which was immediately transported to the Shanghai Cord Blood Bank for processing and cryopreservation. On September 18, Anna’s family was readmitted to the international department of Fudan University Children’s Hospital. The expert team evaluated the newborn’s condition while preparing Anna for her transplant. On September 25, Anna was transferred to the hematology ward, and on the 28th, she entered the transplant chamber. The pre-transplant preparation began on the 29th and proceeded smoothly.
On the morning of October 8, at 9:10 AM, the umbilical cord blood stem cells from Anna’s newborn sibling began to be infused into her bloodstream. This cross-border “relay for life” involved the collaborative efforts of numerous experts from pediatric and obstetric departments in China, as well as the trust and cooperation of the patient’s family. The stem cells from the healthy newborn brought new hope to the 2-year-old sister and the entire family.
Pakistani Parents Witness Lifesaving Stem Cell Transplant at China National Children’s Medical Center
China Health Trip brings you real-life stories of patients who experienced world-class medical care in China. Explore the case below for more inspiration.
On the morning of October 8, 2024, at the Hematology Department of the National Children’s Medical Center, Fudan University Children’s Hospital, a Pakistani couple stood vigil inside and outside the transplant chamber, witnessing a miraculous moment. After three months of seeking medical treatment across borders and with the dedicated care of Shanghai specialists, their newborn’s umbilical cord blood stem cells were infused into their 2-year-old daughter, bringing new hope to her rare neurological condition.
A 2-Year-Old with a Rare Neurological Disorder: Pakistani Parents Seek Treatment in China
Anna (pseudonym), a two-year-old girl from Pakistan, living with her parents in Saudi Arabia, began to show signs of imbalance, frequent falls, strabismus, and weak grip at the age of one and a half. Local hospitals diagnosed her with a rare neurological metabolic disorder called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy after MRI and genetic tests. The doctors informed her parents that the disease would progressively damage her nervous system, ultimately leading to death. Desperate for a cure, Anna’s parents sought help everywhere. With the assistance of Chinese friends, they learned that Fudan University Children’s Hospital in Shanghai could treat this condition through stem cell transplantation. They contacted Professor Zhou Shuizhen, a neurology expert at the hospital, confirming that this treatment was indeed available and feasible. Anna’s parents then promptly established contact with the hospital’s International Consultation Hall.
They learned that Metachromatic Leukodystrophy primarily affects the nervous system and is a rare genetic metabolic disorder. The hospital explained that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation could correct the metabolic abnormalities caused by genetic defects, halting the progression of the neurological disease and effectively saving lives. Fudan’s transplant team had been among the first in China to perform stem cell transplantation for such diseases, publishing their clinical research results in an international medical journal in 2022, garnering attention from peers worldwide. To date, the team had treated 39 patients with this condition, with many more waiting for matching donors. Reassured by this information, Anna’s parents felt confident and eagerly awaited their journey to China.
Multidisciplinary Consultations Lay Out the Best Treatment Plan
After collecting and organizing all of Anna’s medical records and examination reports, Fudan University Children’s Hospital organized the first online multidisciplinary consultation on July 11, 2024. This included prominent experts such as hospital president and neuroscience leader Professor Wang Yi, clinical genetics director Professor Huang Taosheng, hematology leader Professor Zhai Xiaowen, and several other specialists. They evaluated, analyzed, and diagnosed Anna’s condition, ultimately determining a stem cell transplantation treatment plan and specific steps. With the hospital’s assistance, Anna’s family quickly obtained medical visas for China.
On July 29, Anna’s family traveled to Shanghai and were admitted to the international department of Fudan University Children’s Hospital. The expert team conducted comprehensive examinations and matching tests for Anna. Anna’s mother, who was also pregnant and nearing her due date, was considered a potential source of umbilical cord blood stem cells for Anna’s treatment. On August 1, a second multidisciplinary consultation was organized, including experts from Fudan University Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. They decided to perform amniotic fluid testing and matching to confirm whether the unborn baby could provide stem cells for Anna’s transplant. The next day, Anna’s mother underwent a prenatal examination and amniocentesis at Fudan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. Fortunately, the genetic and matching reports confirmed that the newborn’s umbilical cord blood stem cells could be used for Anna’s transplant.
With all evaluations, matching, and genetic reports completed, a third multidisciplinary consultation was held on August 29, involving experts from Fudan University Children’s Hospital, Fudan University Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, and the Shanghai Cord Blood Bank. They discussed the detailed arrangements for the newborn’s birth, umbilical cord blood collection, transportation, preparation, and storage, as well as Anna’s transplant schedule.
A Three-Month “Relay for Life” Brings New Hope to the Family
On September 11, 2024, Anna’s baby sibling was born safely at Fudan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. The obstetricians collected the newborn’s umbilical cord blood, which was immediately transported to the Shanghai Cord Blood Bank for processing and cryopreservation. On September 18, Anna’s family was readmitted to the international department of Fudan University Children’s Hospital. The expert team evaluated the newborn’s condition while preparing Anna for her transplant. On September 25, Anna was transferred to the hematology ward, and on the 28th, she entered the transplant chamber. The pre-transplant preparation began on the 29th and proceeded smoothly.
On the morning of October 8, at 9:10 AM, the umbilical cord blood stem cells from Anna’s newborn sibling began to be infused into her bloodstream. This cross-border “relay for life” involved the collaborative efforts of numerous experts from pediatric and obstetric departments in China, as well as the trust and cooperation of the patient’s family. The stem cells from the healthy newborn brought new hope to the 2-year-old sister and the entire family.
