Andhra Pradesh Achieves Its First Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplant for a 1½-Year-Old Boy with Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome at Medicover Cancer Institute*

Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Darpan :Andhra Pradesh Achieves Its First Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplant for a 1½-Year-Old Boy with Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome at Medicover Cancer Institute*

In a historic milestone for healthcare in Andhra Pradesh, doctors at Medicover Cancer Institute, Visakhapatnam, have successfully performed the first-ever haploidentical bone marrow transplant (BMT) in the state for a 1½-year-old boy suffering from Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome (WAS)—a rare, life-threatening genetic immunodeficiency disorder.

This pioneering achievement marks a significant advancement in advanced pediatric hematology and bone marrow transplantation, making complex, life-saving treatments accessible within Andhra Pradesh and eliminating the need for families to seek care in distant metro cities.

The patient, a 1½-year-old boy from Andhra Pradesh, was diagnosed with Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome, an X-linked primary immunodeficiency characterized by a classical triad of severe thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts), eczema, and recurrent infections. Children with WAS are at high risk of life-threatening bleeding, severe infections, autoimmune complications, and malignancies. Bone marrow transplantation is the only definitive cure.

Due to the unavailability of a fully matched donor, the expert transplant team at Medicover Cancer Institute, led by Dr. D. S. K. Sahitya, Senior Hematologist, Hemato-Oncologist, and Bone Marrow Transplant Physician, successfully performed a haploidentical bone marrow transplant using a half-matched family donor.

Dr. D. S. K. Sahitya stated,

“This is a landmark achievement for Andhra Pradesh and for Medicover Cancer Institute. Haploidentical bone marrow transplantation overcomes one of the biggest challenges in transplant medicine—donor unavailability. Though technically complex and requiring meticulous post-transplant monitoring, it allows us to cure children with rare and life-threatening genetic and blood disorders close to home. This success opens new doors of hope for many families across the region.”

The multidisciplinary BMT team meticulously managed every stage of the procedure, including pre-transplant conditioning, stem cell infusion, immune reconstitution, and prevention of graft-versus-host disease and infections. The child has successfully engrafted, with normalization of platelet counts and restoration of immune function, and is currently making excellent clinical progress.

Dr. Ramavath Dev, Head of the Department, Medicover Cancer Institute, added,

“This milestone reflects our department’s vision to deliver the highest standards of oncology and transplant care within Andhra Pradesh. Successfully performing a complex pediatric haploidentical bone marrow transplant demonstrates the depth of expertise, infrastructure, and multidisciplinary collaboration at Medicover. It gives hope to many families who previously believed such advanced care was possible only outside the state.”

This landmark procedure not only saves the life of a 1½-year-old boy but also firmly establishes Medicover Cancer Institute, Visakhapatnam, as a leading centre for advanced pediatric hematology and bone marrow transplantation in India, offering cutting-edge, accessible care to patients from Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states.

                     Sharma K.V. Editor