Abu Dhabi doctors save young boy with Hyper-IgM Syndrome through life-saving transplant.
A two-year-old boy diagnosed with a rare inherited immune disorder is set to return home after undergoing an urgent bone marrow transplant in Abu Dhabi, with his mother serving as the donor.
Kai was diagnosed with Hyper-IgM Syndrome at an early age after experiencing recurrent and severe infections. His health later deteriorated to a critical stage, requiring admission to intensive care and respiratory support.
Kai also developed cytomegalovirus (CMV), which affected his blood and lungs, along with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), a potentially serious lung infection commonly seen in people with severely weakened immune systems.
After receiving treatment for the infections, Kai was placed on monthly immunoglobulin replacement therapy to help strengthen and support his immune system.
However, his immune system failed to recover adequately, and he remained dependent on blood and platelet transfusions, increasing his vulnerability to potentially serious infections.
Given his condition, doctors at Yas Clinic Khalifa City, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), determined that an urgent bone marrow transplant was necessary.
Mother becomes bone marrow donor
Kai’s mother was found to be a suitable haploidentical, or half-matched, donor, allowing her to provide the bone marrow cells needed for her son’s treatment.
Haploidentical transplants make it possible for a parent or another close family member to become a donor when a fully matched donor cannot be found.
Medical teams first worked to stabilise Kai’s condition before preparing him for the procedure, which was performed under the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program.
According to the medical team, the transplant was successful, with the donated cells beginning to function and support the rebuilding of Kai’s immune system.
Kai is now clinically stable, with no signs of active infection, and is preparing to return home with his family.
Dr Mansi, Consultant in Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation and Kai’s treating physician, said the severity of his condition required the medical team to move quickly.
“His mother was identified as a half-matched donor, allowing our multidisciplinary teams to act swiftly and prepare him for the transplant,” she said.
“The procedure was successful, the donor cells have started functioning, and Kai is currently free of any active infection.”
Hyper-IgM Syndrome is a rare group of inherited immune disorders that prevents the body from producing a normal antibody response, leaving affected children more susceptible to recurrent and potentially severe infections.
For patients who are suitable candidates, a bone marrow transplant can help establish a new immune system using healthy donor cells, addressing the underlying immune deficiency and improving the body’s ability to fight infections.
