Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation | Boston Children's …

In-Depth

We understand how overwhelming it can be to learn that your child needs a stem cell transplant. Right now, you probably have a lot of questions. What is it? What do we do next?

Weve tried to provide some answers to those questions in the following pages, and our experts can explain your childs options fully when you meet with us.

What is bone marrow?

Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found inside the bones. The bone marrow in the hips, breastbone, spine, ribs, and skull contain cells that produce about 95 percent of the body's blood cells.

The three main types of blood cells produced in the bone marrow are:

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are immature cells that are able to produce other blood cells that mature and function as needed. Every type of blood cell in the bone marrow begins as a stem cell.

Stem cells are the most important cells in a bone marrow transplant. Once transplanted, they move into your childs bones and begin to produce the blood cells that are needed by her body.

Hematopoietic stem cells can form any type of blood cell including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. They are different from pluripotent stem cells, which can form any type of cell. Stem cell, or bone marrow, transplantation uses hematopoietic stem cells to treat cancers and certain genetic disorders.

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Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation | Boston Children's ...