Cord blood transplantation in thalassemia

Thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies are prevalent in Thailand. Bone marrow transplantation can cure thalassemia, but less than 30% of the patients have an HLA-identical sibling. Cord blood is an alternative source of stem cells for transplantation. By prenatal diagnosis, the fetus can be diagnosed as having thalassemic disease. DNA typing for HLA will be performed. Cord blood can be collected for transplantation if the fetus is not affected and is HLA-identical to the patient. We report a successful cord blood transplantation in a patient with beta-thalassemia/hemoglobin E disease.