Blood and marrow transplant

Children's Wisconsin is a pioneer in pediatric blood marrow transplant. We performed our first bone marrow transplant in 1980 and have since then completed more than 1,400 successful transplants.

Few hospitals are as equipped as Children's Wisconsin to provide the most advanced care and expertise in blood and marrow transplant. We have a family-centered approach and partner with you and your family through every step of the process, providing the support, guidance and information you need.

Types of BMT

Bone marrow transplantation takes cells from a donor's bone marrow (stem cells), filters those cells, and gives them back either to the patient they were taken from or to another person. This replaces the unhealthy bone marrow in a sick child.

There are three main types of BMT:

• Autologous – Your child's stem cells are harvested, treated and returned to the body healthy.
• Allogeneic – A donor with the same genetic type as your child donates stem cells. It usually is a brother or sister but can be from a parent or even an unrelated donor.
• Umbilical cord blood transplant – Stem cells are removed from an umbilical cord immediately after a baby is delivered. They are then transplanted into your child.

Our BMT team

Our team works closely with you from day one to coordinate all aspects of your child's care and treatment – from the initial phone call to post transplant and outpatient transition. We always are available to answer any questions you may have.

Our team includes specialists from:

• Pediatric oncology and hematology
• Infectious disease
• Gastroenterology
• ENT
• Pathology
• Radiation oncology
• Pharmacy

Patients and families also receive support from social workers, child life specialists, child psychologists and a BMT coordinator.

Conditions

There are a number of childhood disorders and cancers for which blood and marrow transplant might be the best course of treatment. These include:

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
• Primary immunodeficiencies
• Severe aplastic anemia
• Sickle cell anemia
• Thalassemia
• Metabolic storage diseases

Learn more about the BMT conditions >>

Transplant Process

The BMT transplant process at Children's Wisconsin involves the following steps:

• Meet with the blood and marrow transplant team
• Evaluation
• Finding a donor
• Pre-transplant education
• Blood and marrow transplant
• Aftercare
• Follow up

Learn more about the BMT process >>

Research

Our ongoing commitment to improving the BMT process includes involvement in research to work towards better outcomes every day. This includes active participation in clinical trials and research.