Bone marrow transplant

The marrow is the spongy part found inside the bones and is in charge of making all the cells in the body.

Red blood cells: These are the cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.

Platelets: These are the cells that have the function that we stop bleeding when we cut ourselves.

Leukocytes: Also called white blood cells, they defend the body from infection.

Why is a bone marrow transplant done?

The bone marrow can be affected by treatments and needs to be replaced.

How is a bone marrow transplant done? The fluid is extracted from the marrow to exchange it for another, either from the same child (autologous) or from another compatible person (allogeneic), who may be a member of the family.

To perform a bone marrow transplant, your child will first receive chemotherapy treatment and sometimes radiation, then the donor's marrow or his own marrow will be injected through the catheter. This procedure will not hurt.

When new marrow enters the body, it moves through the bloodstream and settles in to start making new cells. It is a slow process that requires a lot of care and medical supervision. The child must be protected from infections, so the patient will be in a special room that few people will be able to enter, to keep her free of germs and diseases.