Treatments

Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant in India

Quick answer

Paediatric bone marrow transplant replaces a child's diseased or faulty blood-forming cells with healthy stem cells, usually from a matched sibling, unrelated donor or parent. It is used for thalassaemia major, leukaemia and other blood disorders. Families usually stay in India for a few months, as recovery needs close monitoring.

Medically reviewed by The Curaventa Team · Last updated 2026-10-24

العربية · Български · বাংলা · English · Español · Français · हिन्दी · Português · Română · Русский · Shqip · Oʻzbekcha

At a glance

Paediatric Surgery and CardiologySpecialty

A bone marrow transplant (BMT), also called a haematopoietic stem cell transplant, gives a child new blood-forming stem cells. For thalassaemia major, it can free a child from lifelong transfusions. For leukaemia, it is used when the disease is high-risk or has returned.

Before transplant, the child receives chemotherapy, sometimes with other medicines, to clear the old marrow and suppress the immune system (conditioning). Stem cells are then given like a blood transfusion. The child stays in a protected unit until the new cells grow and blood counts recover.

Who needs paediatric bone marrow transplant

Thalassaemia major with a suitable donor
High-risk or relapsed acute leukaemia
Aplastic anaemia (marrow failure)
Inherited immune deficiencies
Sickle cell disease and certain metabolic disorders

How it is done

HLA tissue typing of the child and siblings or parents finds a donor.
Pre-transplant tests check organs, infections and disease status; a central line is placed.
Conditioning chemotherapy is given over several days.
Donor stem cells are infused through the central line.
The child is cared for in an isolation room until engraftment.
After discharge, frequent clinic visits monitor counts, infections and graft-versus-host disease.

Before you travel to India

HLA typing of the patient and siblings, if done
Diagnosis and treatment records, bone marrow reports and transfusion history
Ferritin and iron overload assessments for thalassaemia
Plan for a donor family member to travel if the donor is a relative
Arrange accommodation near the hospital for the outpatient phase

Recovery and flying home

Hospital stay usually spans several weeks
After discharge, families stay near the hospital for close follow-up
Infection precautions and medicines continue for months
Return home is planned once counts are stable and risks are controlled
Long-term follow-up checks growth, fertility, organs and late effects

Risks

Serious infections due to weak immunity
Graft-versus-host disease, where donor cells attack the body
Graft failure or disease relapse
Organ damage from chemotherapy
Infertility and late effects

Alternatives

Regular transfusions and iron chelation for thalassaemia
Chemotherapy without transplant for many leukaemias
Gene therapy for thalassaemia in limited settings

Conditions treated

Hospitals in India for paediatric bone marrow transplant

How these hospitals compare

Specialists

Frequently asked questions

Who can be a donor for my child?

A matched brother or sister is often preferred. If none is available, a matched unrelated donor or a half-matched parent may be used. HLA tests decide this.

Can transplant cure thalassaemia?

For many children, a successful transplant removes the need for regular transfusions. Outcomes depend on age, iron overload, liver health and donor match. Your doctor will explain your child's chances.

How long will we stay in India?

Most families stay for a few months, covering preparation, the hospital stay and early outpatient follow-up. Plan accommodation and finances early.

Should the donor sibling travel with us?

Yes, if a sibling or parent is the donor, they must be in India for testing and collection. Ask about donor safety and recovery.

What is graft-versus-host disease?

It is when donor immune cells attack the child's body, affecting skin, gut or liver. Medicines prevent and treat it. Close follow-up helps catch it early.

Medically reviewed by The Curaventa Team. Last updated 2026-10-24. General information, not medical advice. Medical editorial board · Editorial policy · How we get prices

Get a free quote and medical opinion

Share a few details and your reports. We return written quotes from up to 3 accredited hospitals, usually within 48 hours. The service is free for patients.