Yas Clinic partners with ADSCC to expand access to complex pediatric bone marrow transplants in UAE

UAE—Doctors at Yas Clinic, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), have successfully treated a 13-month-old child with a rare inherited immune disorder through an urgent bone marrow transplant using stem cells donated by his father.

The procedure marks another milestone for the UAE in treating complex pediatric immune disorders and expanding access to advanced bone marrow transplantation.

The child began experiencing recurrent, severe infections during the first months of life, resulting in several prolonged hospital admissions.

He also struggled to gain weight and developed a severe skin condition that caused widespread redness and continuous peeling, making his skin resemble that of a patient with extensive burns.

Further investigations identified a rare inherited immunodeficiency caused by a homozygous mutation in the RAG1 gene, which was associated with Omenn syndrome.

The condition severely disrupts immune function and leaves affected children highly vulnerable to potentially life-threatening infections.

The family’s medical history, which included the death of a sibling from a similar condition, prompted an accelerated diagnostic and treatment process.

The child was subsequently referred to the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program (AD-BMT©) for urgent care.

Father serves as stem-cell donor

Comprehensive donor testing found that the child had no fully matched sibling donor. Tissue-typing studies showed that both parents were half-matched donors.

Because of the child’s critical condition and the continuing risk from severe infections, the multidisciplinary team opted for a haploidentical bone marrow transplant using stem cells donated by his father.

The procedure resulted in successful engraftment and a gradual restoration of the child’s immune function.

His clinical condition improved significantly, with his severe skin symptoms resolving and recurrent infections subsiding. He was subsequently discharged from hospital and continued to recover, gain weight and improve his overall health.

Dr. Maysoon Al Karam, Chief Medical Officer at Yas Clinic, said the case demonstrates the impact of combining specialized medical expertise with advanced treatment capabilities.

“Successfully treating a child with such a rare and complex immunological condition demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering the highest standards of care and further reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional center of excellence in medical innovation and advanced healthcare,” she said.

She added that the case highlights the capabilities of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program in managing complex conditions through multidisciplinary expertise and treatment protocols aligned with international best practices.

Early diagnosis proves critical

Dr. Mansi Sachdev, Consultant Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at ADSCC, said the child arrived at the center with severe immunodeficiency that left him vulnerable to life-threatening infections.

“Given the nature of the disease and the family’s medical history, urgent intervention was critical. Through accurate diagnosis, close multidisciplinary collaboration and a bone marrow transplant from his father, we were able to rebuild his immune system and give him an opportunity to grow and live a healthy life,” she said.

Sachdev emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and specialized treatment for children with rare inherited immune disorders.

She added that the program continues to provide advanced treatment options for children with complex conditions in the UAE.

Yas Clinic and ADSCC provide treatment for blood disorders, immune deficiencies and rare genetic diseases through the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program, which offers bone marrow transplantation and advanced cellular therapies.

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