The first stem cell transplant on a baby in Romania saved the life of a seven-month old in the city of Timisoara. Baby Robert, who had been suffering from congenital immunodeficiency, completely recovered after the intervention. His twin brother Bogdan however, who suffered from the same genetic disease, was too weakened and died because of complications two months after the transplant. The two receive stem cells five months ago from a donor in Germany.

The two twins were both born healthy, but at four months, their health started to weaken. Their parents thought they were suffering from a childhood illness, but doctors discovered their immune systems were extremely low because of the severe congenital immunodeficiency.

Five months after the transplant, now one-year old Robert feels well. For the time being, he is not allowed to go out in the park, nor be visited by outsiders, but is an active, happy baby, according to the association Give Life (Daruieste Viata).

The team of doctors who performed the transplant on the twins also did the first stem cell transplants in Romania some 14 years ago, at the Children’s Hospital in Timisoara.

Over 20,000 Romanians signed up as stem cell donors, out of the 25 million such donors worldwide, according to recent data. Stem cell transplants can save the lives of patients who suffer from 70 different diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, among others.

There's a global stem cell donor database accessible to 53 countries, including Romania. Any time a donor is needed, the medical unit makes a database inquiry, and the compatible person then donates stem cells upon need. So far, only a Romanian donor provided stem cells for an international patient. Meanwhile, Romania saw 56 stem cell transplants from non-related donors.

editor@romania-insider.com