FAQ

One of your family members may be a match for your child’s transplant. Parents and siblings have a high chance of being a match. We also use the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and other registries to find a compatible match.

Side effects depend on whether the stem cells come from your child’s own cells (autologous) or a donor (allogenic). Side effects that can occur from either type of transplant include:

• Anemia (low blood count)
• Fever
• Mouth sores
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The main risk of receiving donor cells is the body rejecting the cells or developing Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is when the cells attack the body.

Most side effects can be controlled. Your stem cell transplant physician has expertise in managing these symptoms.

Your child may need to wait up to one year before going back to school. It can take up to 12 months for their immune system to go back to normal after a transplant. Our specialists can help determine when it is safe to return to school.

Your child likely will only need one bone marrow transplant. However, there are some disorders that may require additional transplants. We will work with you to determine how many transplants your child needs.

The hospital stay is typically four to six weeks, based on the type of transplant.

No, bone marrow transplant is an inpatient procedure, and your child would stay in the hospital following the transplant to minimize the risk of infections and other complication.

No, usually patients do not feel any pain during the transplant.