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PGIMER mulls dedicated bone marrow transplant facility for kids with immune diseases
In the last three years, the common facility at PGIMER, where transplant for kids as well as adults is carried out, has been able to perform bone marrow transplant only on six children with PIDDs while around 150 are awaiting the treatment.
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) is mulling to set up a dedicated bone marrow transplant (BMT) centre for children suffering from primary immune deficiency diseases (PIDDs).
Currently, PGIMER has a common BMT facility for adults and children.
PGIMER paediatrics department head Prof Surjit Singh said, “The proposal for the facility has already been sent to the Union government. Once operational, it will be the first public-sector BMT centre dedicated to children with immune deficiency disorders, in North India.”
He added, “The plan is to open the centre on the sixth floor of the Advanced Paediatric Centre. Right now, transplants are happening with adults, but children need different and special care and facilities,” he said.
In the last three years, the facility has been able to perform BMT only on six children with PIDDs while around 150 are awaiting the treatment.
According to immunopathology department head Prof Biman Saikia, the lives of many children can be saved if they are given timely transplantation. “A dedicated facility will bring down the waiting time for children, as the centre for adults has a huge rush of cancer patients,” said Prof Saikia.
Primary immune deficiency diseases (PIDDs) are rare genetic disorders that leave the patient prone to chronic, debilitating infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which can increase the risk of developing cancer. In most cases, patients require intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) treatment -- injection costing ₹20,000 to ₹40,000 -- every month to build in immunity to live. In most PIDD cases, bone marrow transplant done within a year of the disease is the only curative option. If the child does not get a BMT or IVIG treatment, they cannot survive.
Dr Surjit said PGIMER is one of the few government excellence centers that provide both diagnosis and treatment for rare PIDDs. “Here, bone marrow transplant can be done at a cost of ₹8 to 10 lakh, while private facilities charge up to ₹20 lakh.”
