A bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure that delivers healthy bone marrow stem cells to patients. The transplant is used in patients who need bone marrow because of a disease or due to treatments for cancer. Stem cells in the bone marrow produce all of the various types of blood cells necessary for the transport of oxygen and for fighting off infection. After a bone marrow transplant, patients may experience different effects associated with the procedure.
Increased Risk of Infection
After a bone marrow transplant, patients are at risk for an infection, according to the American Cancer Society. The first six weeks after the transplant are the critical period. Within this period, even normally benign germs can cause life-threatening infections. Patients who have just received a bone marrow transplant have no white blood cells, which are the cells responsible for fighting off infections. The transplanted bone marrow takes around six weeks to start producing these cells. Post-transplant, patients should be carefully monitored for any signs of infection.
Anemia and Low Platelets
Just after a bone marrow transplant, the new stem cells have yet to start functioning. Therefore, after the procedure patients may develop reduced levels of red blood cells and platelets, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Insufficient levels of red blood cells, a condition called anemia, can reduce the amount of oxygen moving through the body. If low enough, the patient can experience fatigue, dizziness and even loss of consciousness.
Platelets are specialized cells that control bleeding within the body. Patients seriously deficient in these cells may experience life-threatening bleeding within the digestive tract, lungs and brain.
Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Graft-versus-host disease, or GVHD, is a dreaded complication that may occur after a bone marrow transplant. This disease is characterized by the transplanted stem cells producing immune cells that attack the recipient's body. The new immune cells think the normal cells of the patient are foreign invaders and begin to damage the patient's organs, according to the American Cancer Society. GVHD can present as mild symptoms or very dangerous disorders. A variety of immunospressant medications are used to reduce the damage caused by this complication.
