Pakistani baby becomes India's youngest bone marrow donor

India experience leaves father of children pleasantly surprised

A Pakistani infant has become the youngest bone marrow donor in India.

Eight-month-old Rayan saved the life of his two-and-a-half-year old sister Zeenia who underwent a successful bone marrow transplant at a Bengaluru hospital. Hailing from the Pakistani city of Sahiwal, Zeenia was suffering from Hemaphagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare life-threatening condition.



Doctors said a bone marrow transplant was the only cure for Zeenia, who was also diagnosed with partial albinism. “After we diagnosed the girl with HLH, we discovered that her brother was the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) match for her,” Sunil Bhat of Narayana Health City Hospital said.

“As the donor is just eight months old to collect the adequate dosage, he was required to undergo the donation process twice at a gap of only few weeks,” Bhat said. “By using small marrow extraction needles and with the assistance of a team of anaesthetists and other members, we have successfully extracted enough marrow which helped cure Zeenia. Rayan has not only saved his sister, he also has the unique distinction of being the youngest marrow donor in India,” he added.



After undergoing the bone marrow transplant, Zeenia is now cured of her disease and ready to return to Pakistan. Zeenia’s father, who was initially fearful after landing in India, said he was pleasantly surprised by how friendly everyone had turned out to be. “From the time we landed following immigration I would say it was a very pleasant surprise...everyone was very fine and friendly,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Hindustan Times.