A four-year-old girl from Russia has received an infusion of umbilical cord blood stem cells at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, giving her renewed hope for the future.

By Feb 5, it had been eight days since she received the treatment. The medical team was closely monitoring her body's response, waiting for the engraftment of the stem cells.

Her journey began at the age of three when she started experiencing a regression in her mobility, making it impossible for her to walk or sit independently. Four months ago, her condition worsened, and she began having seizures.

In Russia, doctors diagnosed her with a rare genetic lysosomal storage disorder caused by a defect in the ASAH1 gene. This condition leads to metabolic dysfunction, affecting multiple organs, and has a poor prognosis, often resulting in early death.

After consulting pediatric experts from various countries, including those in Europe and the United States, her parents were advised to explore stem cell transplant therapy.

Through a referral, the family learned about the Children's Hospital of Fudan University's expertise in stem cell therapy and reached out to the hospital for consultation. The hospital gathered a multidisciplinary team to evaluate the girl's condition and develop a personalized stem cell treatment plan.

Her family swiftly arranged for a medical visa and arrived in Shanghai on Dec 22. After undergoing assessments and initial treatments, she was admitted to the hospital's hematology department on Jan 29 for the stem cell treatment.

The hospital's multidisciplinary team, specializing in stem cell therapy for rare diseases, has treated over 500 pediatric cases, with a reported success rate exceeding 75 percent. The hospital is also a pilot institution for international medical tourism in Shanghai, leveraging its international consultation platform to provide complex case treatment for children from across the globe.

Source: Shanghai Observer