Treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants with stem cell transplantation

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Stem cell transplantation has been shown to be an effective measure for the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. Vinmec has successfully implemented this technique, helping premature babies recover their health.

1. What is a stem cell transplant?

Stem cells are biological cells that have the ability to differentiate into other cells and also have the ability to divide to produce more stem cells.
In a living organism, stem cells can be obtained from two sources: in the early embryo and in the adult body tissue. The source of stem cells in the adult body tissue is the main source used. This is from bone marrow (typically in the femur or pelvis), fatty tissue, blood, and from umbilical cord blood shortly after birth.
Thanks to the ability to differentiate into other types of cells in the body, stem cells are currently actively being researched and applied in medicine, repairing congenital or acquired defects during life, improve organ function. Diseases that have been successfully treated with stem cells are diabetes, post-infarction heart failure, osteoarthritis, spinal cord injury, brain stroke, cirrhosis, obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, Parkinson's disease, and Parkinson's disease. , Alzheimer's,... to rare diseases such as autism, congenital epidermal detachment,...

2. Achievements of stem cell transplantation in the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants at Vinmec Times City

2.1. Success from the first case of pulmonary dysplasia

Following the worldwide achievements that stem cells have achieved in medicine, Vinmec Medical System has successfully applied stem cell transplantation techniques in the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. At the same time, Vinmec is also the first and only hospital in the North that can perform this technique.
This is the result of the collaboration between the doctors of the Stem Cell and Immune Cell Department, the Vinmec Institute of Stem Cell Research and Gene Technology and the Department of Neonatology, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital. The stem cell transplant was performed in September 2016 on a premature baby born at 30 weeks, weighing only 1.5 kg at birth. In May 2016, when he was 4 months old, he was admitted to the hospital at Vinmec Times City in a state of severe infection due to prolonged mechanical ventilation. The risk of death is very high due to recurrent infections and pulmonary hypertension. Previous traditional methods of treatment did not work, the condition did not improve at all.

After 4 months of care and support treatment to improve the general condition, in September 2016, Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Liem - Director of Vinmec Gene Technology Stem Cell Research Institute decided to carry out stem cell transplantation. in the hope of saving the patient from pulmonary fibrosis. Stem cells were obtained from the bone marrow in the patient's own iliac crest and mononuclear cells were extracted by density centrifugation. These bone marrow mononuclear stem cells are then infused into the patient through an endotracheal and intravenous route. Results after stem cell transplantation from bone marrow, the patient had a marked improvement in oxygen saturation and chest x-ray images, with the ability to gradually decrease from the oxygen ventilator. And just 4 weeks after the stem cell transplant, the boy was able to breathe on his own, completely weaned from oxygen and developed like a full-term baby.
Until now, the world literature has not recorded any traditional methods that can completely treat severe pulmonary dysplasia in premature babies. But today's modern medicine has discovered a stem cell transplant technique that can differentiate into new alveoli, improve lung structure and function, and can prevent and slow down the progression of fibrosis. lung. That is the foundation for Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem to carry out his decisive medical order.

2.2. Until the next cases

After the first successful case, Professor Liem and Vinmec's team of experts boldly performed stem cell transplantation to treat pulmonary fibrosis for other cases of premature babies born at 26, 31 weeks of gestation and the obtained results were satisfactory. unexpected regard. Since then, bone marrow mononuclear stem cell transplantation has become a promising treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia syndrome. This technique of Vinmec increases the chances of cure and brings a healthy life to premature babies with bronchopulmonary dysplasia complications with a success rate of 80%.

2.3. The foundation of stem cell achievements at Vinmec

To achieve these results, Vinmec Medical System has been invested with modern equipment and technology for in-depth research and application of one of the key branches of Stem Cell - Gene Technology. Along with a system of machinery and facilities of international standards, the high-tech stem cell banking, extraction, culture and technology laboratories are of the same quality as developed countries in the world. Thanks to such ideal conditions, the team of experts has wholeheartedly invested, researched, researched and confidently applied.
In addition, Vinmec Medical System has also built its own specialized center for stem cells, called Vinmec Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology. This place is a gathering of leading experts, doctors who are well trained in stem cell techniques, have many years of experience in research and clinical practice.
Thanks to the solid foundations that Vinmec system has built diligently, in addition to treating bronchopulmonary dysplasia and cerebral palsy for premature babies, Vinmec is researching the application of stem cells to treat other complex diseases such as: paralysis due to spinal injury, knee osteoarthritis, myocardial infarction, congenital biliary atresia, cirrhosis, autism, diabetes...
The hospital also regularly organizes international seminars on cells genetic engineering and genetics with many of the world's leading experts in attendance, promising new therapies for seemingly chronic diseases.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : Including leading experts with high professional qualifications (professor, associate professor, doctorate, master), rich experience, worked in big hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

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