3-Year-Old Fights Leukemia with Umbilical Cord Stem Cells

BBC News, May 23, 2007

A stem cell transplant was the final option that a three-year old girl had to save her life. She is now secluded in an isolation unit of the same hospital she received stem cell treatment in.

A worldwide donor search was initiated when Eva was diagnosed with leukemia 5 months ago.

A compatible match was found in the United States, and bone marrow was created using the stem cells from the donor baby’s umbilical cord . Eva's family must now wait to see if she will stay alive.

Birmingham Children's Hospital performed the procedure on Wednesday.

The isolation unit Eva has been placed in has rigorous sanitation rules, and her family has to act in accordance while at her bedside.

The isolation period should last three weeks according to the hospital. She is doing fine thus far but the length of isolation is an additional precaution to protect her well-being.

She is being closely monitored for a potential return of leukemia, any indication of infection, and to verify if the stem cells are being rejected or not.

After Eva's family’s request for a donor, more than 600 people joined the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register.

From these efforts, another child is being aided by a match from another bone marrow donor that was found at one of the register sessions.