A four-year-old boy in Shanghai who is suffering from a rare
strain of anemia was to receive a blood-forming stem cell
transplant in an emergency operation on Wednesday evening.
Qiu Jianwen has been diagnosed with thalassemia, known as
Mediterranean anemia. He has to receive regular blood transfusions
to remain alive but, after his spleen had to be removed as his
condition worsened, he can now only be cured with stem cells.
The stem cells were found in Tzu Chi Stem Cells Center in
Taiwan. Shanghai Children's Hospital on Monday sent people to
Taiwan to collect them and the operation was scheduled to take
place on Wednesday evening.
Even if the operation is an initial success, Qiu will need to
avoid infection and the possibility of rejection in the coming
weeks to survive.
The boy was originally admitted to hospital due to his slim and
fragile appearance and the fact his stomach had become bloated. His
parents had believed his illness was caused by his habit of eating
wall paint.
(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2007)