Aplastic anemia, a rare form of anemia, comes from a loss of red blood cells in bone marrow. It stops production of blood cells and causes fatigue, and can lead to infections and excessive bleeding. This condition can happen at any age, and often occurs suddenly. Cord blood, which holds the most adaptable stem cells available, is becoming the preferred therapy for this blood condition.
Recently the stem cells from cord blood have been used for the treatment of severe aplastic anemia following acute liver failure and living related liver transplantation.
Severe aplastic anemia, a life-threatening hematologic emergency requiring prompt treatment, has been reported in certain settings to occur in up to 28% of recipients of orthotopic liver transplants. Being able to use cord blood in children with aplastic anemia secondary to liver transplantation is proving to be successful.
For specific information on cases, please read the full article.