Some children need intensive care after transplant
About 1 in 7 children end up in ICU within 1 year after transplant
Age0-21
Number of Participants6,995
Research GoalImprove Survival
Researchers checked on nearly 7,000 children who got BMT in the US or Canada during 2008-2014. About 15% (about 460) children went back to the hospital intensive care unit (ICU) within 5 years after transplant.
Of the children who went to the ICU, 85% (about 400 of the 460) got better and went home. However, many of these children later got sick again. About 5 years after the first ICU visit, about 45% (about 210 of the 460) children were still alive.
Children were more likely to have very serious problems if they had cancer, lung disease or kidney disease before transplant. Also, 2 types of BMT donors were associated with serious effects: umbilical cord blood and donors who were not matched siblings of the patient.
If children are sick in the year after transplant, it’s important to get care right away. And even after leaving the ICU, these children may need to have more frequent check-ups with their doctor.
Of the children who went to the ICU, 85% (about 400 of the 460) got better and went home. However, many of these children later got sick again. About 5 years after the first ICU visit, about 45% (about 210 of the 460) children were still alive.
Children were more likely to have very serious problems if they had cancer, lung disease or kidney disease before transplant. Also, 2 types of BMT donors were associated with serious effects: umbilical cord blood and donors who were not matched siblings of the patient.
If children are sick in the year after transplant, it’s important to get care right away. And even after leaving the ICU, these children may need to have more frequent check-ups with their doctor.
Keep in mind
This study was not a clinical trial—the children had a variety of diseases and treatments in addition to BMT. This study has not yet been peer-reviewed.