ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

Yas Clinic has given a two-month-old Pakistani baby girl, Ayra, a second chance at life after performing an urgent and highly complex bone marrow transplant that saved her from a rapidly worsening immune condition. When she first arrived in Abu Dhabi, she was critically ill, unable to fight off even the smallest infection, and her young life was slipping away.

For weeks before reaching Yas Clinic- Khalifa City, Ayra had been admitted to another facility, connected to a ventilator and struggling with severe chest and bloodstream infections. Despite intensive care, her condition continued to deteriorate, and doctors began to suspect that something far more serious lay beneath the recurring infections. Further testing confirmed their fears: Ayra was suffering from a severe congenital immunodeficiency, a rare disorder in which a child is born without the ability to defend the body against infection.

The diagnosis became even more emotional when Ayra’s parents revealed that they had lost an older daughter, only a year and a half old, to what was likely the same undiagnosed condition. That tragic history became the key that allowed doctors to understand Ayra’s illness and intervene just in time.

By the time she reached Yas Clinic in Abu Dhabi, Ayra was battling three aggressive infections simultaneously, each one capable of overwhelming her fragile immune system. She was on high ventilator support, receiving medications to maintain her blood pressure, and facing multiple organ stress.

In the middle of this critical situation came an unexpected ray of hope: Ayra’s father was found to be a full HLA match, confirming full blood compatibility required for a bone marrow transplant. But despite this fortunate match, Ayra was far too sick to receive chemotherapy or conditioning, the standard preparation needed before a bone marrow transplant. 

This left the medical team with only one option: a direct, immediate, lifesaving bone marrow transplant using her father’s healthy stem cells, performed without any conditioning. It was a highly challenging and unconventional path, but it was the only chance to restore her immune system.

Under the leadership of Dr. Mansi Sachdev, Clinical Lead & Consultant, Paediatric Haematology, Oncology & BMT, the Yas Clinic transplant team moved swiftly, knowing that every moment mattered. “The only way to save her life was to perform an urgent bone marrow transplant,” said Dr. Mansi. “Because she was so sick, she could not receive chemotherapy. We relied entirely on her father’s healthy cells to help her fight off the infections.”

Dr. Sachdev said that the decision was bold and carried significant risk, but it became the turning point in Ayra’s fight for life.

She added, "Today, only two months after the procedure, Ayra’s recovery is nothing short of remarkable. She has been off the ventilator for over a month, breathing entirely on her own. All three viruses have cleared from her system. She is feeding well, regaining strength day by day, and is expected to go home soon."

Her story, once filled with uncertainty and fear, has transformed into one of healing, resilience, and the power of family. It also stands as a testament to Yas Clinic’s advanced BMT capabilities, readiness and the dedication of the multidisciplinary team.

Dr. Maysoon Al Karam, Chief Medical Officer of Yas Clinic, reflected on the significance of this achievement, saying: “This case demonstrates the true strength and readiness of our paediatric transplant program. Treating a two-month-old this fragile, without the ability to use standard conditioning, requires exceptional expertise and coordination. Ayra’s recovery embodies our mission to deliver world-class care and reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a leader in specialised medical services.”

Ayra’s journey highlights not only the importance of early diagnosis and fast specialist intervention but also the lifesaving impact of donor matching within families. For many children like her, transplantation remains the only chance for survival.

Yas Clinic continues to expand its role as a Centre of Excellence in bone marrow transplantation for both children and adults, ensuring that the most vulnerable patients in the UAE and the region have access to advanced, compassionate, and life-changing care.