UAE

Baby girl undergoes bone

marrow transplant from sister,
8, in Abu Dhabi
Doctors at Burjeel Medical City perform surgery on little Afeefa after finding
sibling's stem cells match

Anjana Sankar
Jan 28, 2023

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Doctors in Abu Dhabi have saved the life of a nine-month-old baby
girl battling a type of cancer that affected her blood and bone
marrow.

Afeefa Zahra Muhammad Iqbal was suffering acute lymphoblastic

leukaemia.

She underwent surgery at Burjeel Medical City after it was found that
her blood cells were a match with her sister Nazia, 8.

The girls' Pakistani parents Muhammad Iqbal and Batool Zahra, UAE
residents for the past 10 years, said their daughter was only three
months old when she started to experience prolonged fever and look
pale.

After a blood test showed abnormalities, the couple took her to the
hospital, where she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic
leukaemia, which can progress quickly without treatment.

"Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is one of the common cancers in

children, but it needs to be treated aggressively,” said Dr Zainul
Aabideen, an oncologist at Burjeel Medical City.
 Baby Afeefa with her father and the team at Burjeel Medical City. Photo: Burjeel
Medical City

“The advanced genetic test revealed that a high risk of a genetic

mutation was driving this leukaemia. As per the international
protocol, the only chance to cure her disease was through bone
marrow transplantation," said Dr Aabideen.

Doctors identified Nazia as a matching donor, and the third grader

was more than happy to help her sister.

"I was sad when the doctors told me my little sister was very sick,"
said Nazia.

"I felt happy when my parents told me I could help her get better.

"I was a brave girl, and was not afraid. Afeefa is like my twin sister
now."
:
 The highly advanced bone marrow transplant was conducted on

December 1. Afeefa was then kept under strict medical attention to

monitor her body's response to the new cells.

Baby Afeefa recovers after her bone marrow transplant at Burjeel Medical City in Abu
Dhabi. Photo: Burjeel Medical City

In the days after the procedure, she experienced complications

including seizures and infections in her bloodstream but they were
successfully managed by the medical team looking after her. Her
health and prognosis improved steadily.

Afeefa's parents said their entire life was changed by the successful
surgery.

“We now feel like a huge struggle has been over after months of
suffering and pain,” said Mr Iqbal.

"I also want to mention my wife, who observed our child round the
:
 clock and alerted the medical team even if there was the slightest

change in her.

"Her commitment to Afeefa has also

READ MORE
Joy for Dubai family as two-year-
old girl takes first steps after bone
marrow transplant
played a part in the healing process."
Prof Humaid Al Shamsi, a consultant
at Burjeel, said the team that treated
Afeefa were satisfied that she could
now return to the care of her family.

"The entire team at Burjeel Medical City is thrilled that baby Afeefa
has overcome all odds and is now finally discharged home," he said.

"The success of the bone marrow procedure in a patient so young

offers hope to more children in need of such care. The procedure
demonstrates our capabilities and expertise in bone marrow
transplant. We are proud of this new milestone.”

Updated: January 28, 2023, 1:50 PM

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