Born Through IVF, Baby Girl Donates Bone Marrow To Brother

In what is a rare feat, parents and doctors birthed a baby using IVF along with preimplantation genetic testing with matching HLA. This was done so that she could donate her bone marrow to her 6-year-old brother suffering from thalassemia major, an inherited blood disorder, as per a report in The New Indian Express.

Abhijeet was born back in 2013 and was diagnosed with the disease. His symptoms include paleness, irritability, and improper growth. He has had to undertake 80 blood transfusions since birth to keep him alive.

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The only option was a bone marrow transplant. Abhijeet¡¯s elder sibling and parents did not have a matching HLA so they were not eligible to donate.

Sahdev Singh Solanki, his father, did some research to come across the term 'Saviour Sibling'. He then approached doctors at Nova IVF Fertility in Ahmedabad, to save his son.

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"Sperm and eggs are used to create embryos. Once it grows for five days, it is sent for testing to check if the embryo has Thalassemia Major, has matching HLA and genetic testing is done to rule out any other complications. In all, 18 embryos were biopsied of which only one embryo was found to have matching HLA, normal on preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases (PGT M), and was thus transferred successfully in its very first cycle,¡± said Dr Manish Banker, Medical Director, Nova IVF Fertility.

It resulted in a successful pregnancy. Kavya was a healthy baby girl who had a 10/10 HLA match with her brother.

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¡°We consulted many doctors, but nobody could assure successful transplantation. I decided to do whatever it takes to save my child. I researched and went through a pile of medical journals and case studies of similar cases to come up with something that can save my child,¡± said Sahdev.

She has literally been born to save a life. Now her brother can have a healthy life.