Frequently Asked Questions about Pediatric Stem Cell Transplants

What conditions are treated with pediatric stem cell transplantation?

Stem cell transplant is being used to treat many types of conditions and can often be used when conventional treatments have been unsuccessful. Stem cell transplantation is an emerging first-line therapy for some serious diseases, including:

• Hematologic malignancies and leukemias
• Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Neuroblastoma
• Sarcomas
• Other solid tumors of childhood
• Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
• Hemoglobinopathies including sickle cell anemia and β-thalassemia
• Aplastic and Fanconi anemia
• Rare blood diseases
• Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
• Bone marrow failure syndromes
• Metabolic/lysosomal storage diseases
• Immunodeficiencies
• Autoimmune conditions

Who will be on my child's care team?

Stem cell transplantation is a complex procedure and requires a multidisciplinary team of skilled care providers.

Your care team includes:

• Doctors specializing in pediatric cancer and blood disorders, stem cell transplant and cellular therapies
• Nurse practitioners who specialize in transplantation and cellular therapies
• Nurses
• Pharmacists
• Child life specialists
• Physical therapists
• Nutritionists
• Social workers
• Art and music therapists

Physicians in other specialties may be consulted as warranted.

Are hospital rooms for transplant patients different from regular rooms?

Yes. Our state-of-the-art inpatient unit is completely HEPA-filtered, screening out any infections that might harm a child who is recovering from chemotherapy and transplant. All of the patient accommodations are containment isolation rooms with “anterooms”, which allow special ventilation to add increased protection for your child.

Can I stay overnight with my child? Can my child have visitors?

Yes. The unit is child- and family- friendly, with guest beds for parents or another relative. Visitors are limited and must take special precautions.

How long will my child be in the hospital?

It differs depending on type of transplant and each child’s situation. Children who have received an autologous transplant are in the hospital for an average of three to four weeks. Children who have received an allogeneic transplant are hospitalized for an average of four to six weeks.

What can I expect when my child is discharged?

After discharge, your child will visit our clinic three times a week for approximately two weeks (could be more or less) and then moves to twice-a-week visits until 100 days after the transplant.

If you live more than 30 minutes away, the transplant team will ask your family to stay at Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Hyde Park. If you live less than 30 minutes away, you will be able to return home, but must continue to follow stem cell transplant rules.

Our care team will provide you with detailed instructions for care upon discharge.

Why choose our pediatric stem cell and cellular therapy program?

With a pediatric stem cell transplant team that includes national leaders in transplant for leukemia, lymphoma and non-malignant diseases, we are committed to ensuring that each patients receives excellent care.

• First in Chicago: Comer Children’s was the first hospital in Chicago to offer a pediatric bone marrow transplant program more than 32 years ago.
• Unparalleled Experience: Our joint adult and pediatric stem cell program has more than 20 transplant physicians and a combined 200 years of expertise. Each year, we perform more than 200 transplants and cellular therapies.
• Advanced Research and Treatment: Our nationally recognized experts are leaders in the research and development of stem cell treatments and cellular therapies that have led to new approaches and improved survival rates.
• Accredited Program The Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) has ranked our program as one of the best for outcomes in Chicago.

Who can I contact for questions about our pediatric stem cell transplant program?

Please contact our office at 773-702-6808. Additional information can also be found at National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP.