OBJECTIVETo study the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children with severe aplastic anemia (SAA).

METHODSA total of 11 children with SAA were treated with HLA matched siblings (n = 7), umbilical cord blood (n = 2) and haploidentical HSCT (n = 2).

RESULTSAmong 11 children patients, 10 patients achieved engraftment, but 3 children patients experienced secondary graft failure, after donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI), they achieved engraftment again. One patient received cord blood transplantation and experienced primary graft rejection, but acquired autologous recovery. The median time for neutrophils to reach over 0.5 × 10(9)/L was 14 days (10-19 days) in the 9 children received bone marrow or bone marrow and peripheral blood allo-HSCT, while the median time for platelets to reach over 20 × 10(9)/L was 17 days (8-42 days). For the patient received double cord blood transplantation, the time of neutrophile and platelet level recovery was 16 days and 41 days, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIf HLA-matched sibling donor is available, allo-HSCT can be recommended as the first line of treatment for children with SAA. It is feasible for children with SAA to receive allo-HSCT from selective donor, including cord blood and haploidentical HSCT. Donor lymphocyte infusions can improve engraftment.