Insights of pediatric bone marrow transplantation in Brazil - A registry-based study (2018–2024)

Sacha Krolow e Silva; Julia Stela Xavier Paim; Jéssica Manami Seki; Júlia Beck Stüker; Liliane Ghi Mei Law; Luize Paz Bortolon; Sally Noemi Caballero Coronel; Manoela Silveira Gonçalves; Isabelly Rodrigues de Souza; Stefany da Costa Rezena Pinto; Nathanieli Cristiane da Silva Longhi; Eduarda Correa Freitas

doi:10.46765/2675-374X.2026v7n1e354

Authors

Sacha Krolow e Silva Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências: Bioquímica – Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2525-6586
Julia Stela Xavier Paim Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde – Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7593-3431
Jéssica Manami Seki Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – Faculdade de Medicina – Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3940-7292
Júlia Beck Stüker Universidade Franciscana – Escola de Medicina – Santa Maria (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5581-180X
Liliane Ghi Mei Law Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – Faculdade de Medicina – Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2343-7611
Luize Paz Bortolon Universidade do Vale do Taquari – Escola de Medicina – Lajeado (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2452-6381
Sally Noemi Caballero Coronel Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – Faculdade de Medicina – Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6318-2212
Manoela Silveira Gonçalves Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul – Escola de Medicina – Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1262-5634
Isabelly Rodrigues de Souza Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – Faculdade de Medicina – Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4303-9484
Stefany da Costa Rezena Pinto Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – Escola de Enfermagem e de Saúde Coletiva – Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5543-6614
Nathanieli Cristiane da Silva Longhi Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – Faculdade de Medicina – Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6402-3059
Eduarda Correa Freitas Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre – Unidade Banco de Multitecidos – Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0218-2296

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46765/2675-374X.2026v7n1e354

Keywords:

Hematopoietic cell transplantation, Allogeneic transplantation, Autologous transplantation, COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is established as a curative strategy for several severe pediatric hematological and immunological disorders. However, despite Brazil’s extensive public transplant infrastructure, national data on pediatric HCT trends remain insufficiently characterized. Objective: To analyze temporal trends, regional distribution, and modality characteristics of pediatric HCT in Brazil from 2018 to 2024, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study used data from the Brazilian Transplant Registry (RBT/ABTO). Descriptive statistics were used and transplant modalities were compared across pre-pandemic (2018–2019), pandemic (2020–2022), and post-pandemic (2023–2024) periods using Pearson’s chi-square test. Results: A total of 3,592 pediatric BMT procedures were reported. Allogeneic transplantation predominated throughout the study period (68.3%–87.5%), while the proportion of autologous procedures increased significantly during the pandemic (p < 0.001). S.o Paulo concentrated more than half of all procedures, indicating substantial regional concentration. The lowest annual volume occurred in 2024 (n = 377), potentially reflecting incomplete or revised registry data. Conclusion: The data showed temporal variations, pandemic associated changes in transplantation modalities, and persistent regional disparities. These findings highlight the complexity of pediatric transplant care in Brazil and the need for standardized data collection and policies to reduce access inequities.

References

1. Snowden JA, Sánchez-Ortega I, Corbacioglu S, Basak GW, Chabannon C, Camara R, et al. Indications for haematopoietic cell transplantation for haematological diseases, solid tumours and immune disorders: current practice in Europe, 2022. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2022;57:1217–39. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-022-01691-w

2. PDQ Pediatric Treatment Editorial Board. Complications, Graft-Versus-Host Disease, and Late Effects After Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (PDQ®): Health Professional Version. In: PDQ cancer information summaries. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002.

3. Guilcher GMT. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents. Pediatr Rev. 2016;37(4):135-45. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.2015-0044

4. Dietz AC, Savage SA, Vlachos A, Mehta PA, Bresters D, Tolar J, et al. Late Effects Screening Guidelines after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes: Consensus Statement From the Second Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium International Conference on Late Effects After Pediatric HCT. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2017;23(9):1422–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbmt.2017.05.022

5. Diesch-Furlanetto T, Gabriel M, Zajac-Spychala O, Cattoni A, Hoeben BAW, Balduzzi A. Late Effects After Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in ALL, Long-Term Follow-Up and Transition: A Step Into Adult Life. Front Pediatr. 2021;9:773895. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2021.773895

6. Nicholson B, Goodman R, Day J, Worth A, Carpenter B, Sandford K, et al. Quality of life and social and psychological outcomes in adulthood following allogeneic HSCT in childhood for inborn errors of immunity. J Clin Immunol. 2022;42:1451–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-022-01286-6

7. Silva PO, Orlandini GM, Michalowski MB, Daudt LE. Late complications of children and adolescents after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: An integrative review. J Cell Mol Immunol. 2022; 1(1):40–7. https://doi.org/10.46439/immunol.1.010

8. Kara Uzun A, Akkuş SY, Koca Yozgat A, Yüksel F, Arman Bilir Ö, Yaralı HN, et al. Impacts of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation on Quality of Life and Behavioral Outcomes in Pediatric Patients with Leukemia and Thalassemia. Curr Oncol. 2025;32(6):311. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32060311

9. Mwita RP, Özdemir Ö. Stem cell transplantation in immuno-hematologic and infectious diseases. World J Transplant. 2026;16(1):114592. https://doi.org/10.5500/wjt.v16.i1.114592

10. Machado CM. COVID-19 and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation (SBTMO). J Bone Marrow Transplant Cell. 2020;1(2):67–72. https://doi.org/10.46765/2675-374X.2020v1n1p67-72

11. Passweg JR, Baldomero H, Chabannon C, Corbacioglu S, Cámara R, Dolstra H, et al. Impact of the SARSCoV-2 pandemic on hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapies in Europe 2020: a report from the EBMT activity survey. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2022;57:742–52. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-022-01604-x

12. Galeano S, Bonfim C, Karduss A, Jaimovich G, Gómez-De León A, Bettarello G, et al. Results of the Latin American Bone Marrow Transplantation Society (LABMT) activity survey 2019-2022: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in related haploidentical donors. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2025; 60:971–7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-025-02600-7

13. Macedo AV. Covid-19 and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in brazil: are we coping? J Bone Marrow Transplant Cell. Ther. 2020;1(3):9–10. https://doi.org/10.46765/2675-374X.2020v2n1p9-10

14. Daudt LE, Corso MCM, Kerbauy MN, Assis LHDS, Rechenmacher C, Colturato I, et al. COVID-19 in HSCT recipients: a collaborative study of the Brazilian Society of Marrow Transplantation (SBTMO). Bone Marrow Transplant. 2022;57:453–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-021-01561-x

15. Randi BA, Higashino HR, Silva VP, Salomão MC, Pignatari ACC, Abdala E, et al. COVID-19 in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients during three years of the pandemic: a multicenter study in Brazil. Rev Inst Med Trop S Paulo. 2024;66:e17. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-9946202466017

16. Associação Brasileira de Transplante de Órgãos (ABTO). RBT. Registro Brasileiro de Transplantes. https://site.abto.org.br/publicacoes/rbt. [Accessed 2 May 2026].

17. Simione AJ, Silva CC, Hamerschlak N, Vigorito A, Neves HRA, Seber A, et al. Hematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes in public centers in Brazil: analysis of the Brazilian Registry of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 2012-2024. J Bone Marrow Transplant Cell. 2026;7(1):e317. https://doi.org/10.46765/2675-374X.2025v7n1e317

18. Magedanz L, Leal JVO, Santos BL, Brito ES, Saavedra PAE, Soares LSS, et al. Hematopoietic stem-cell transplants in Brazil: inequities in the distribution in Brazilian territory, 2001 to 2020. Ciên Saúde Coletiva. 2022;27(8):3239–47. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232022278.03142022

19. Feliciano JVP, Lopes JC, Weiller JAB, Bulgareli JV. Barriers to access of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. J Bone Marrow Transplant Cell Ther. 2023;4(3):217. https://doi.org/10.46765/2675-374X.2023v4n3p217

Insights of pediatric bone marrow transplantation in Brazil - A registry-based study (2018–2024)

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

References

Downloads

Published

How to Cite

Issue

Section

License

Funding data

Make a Submission

Keywords

Index

Information

Insights of pediatric bone marrow transplantation in Brazil - A registry-based study (2018–2024)

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

References

Downloads

Published

How to Cite

Issue

Section

License

Funding data

Make a Submission

Keywords

Index

Social Media

Information