Muscat – A specialised medical team from the Department of Paediatric Hematology at The Royal Hospital has achieved a groundbreaking medical milestone, both nationally and internationally, by successfully treating a Down syndrome patient with bone marrow failure using the drug Romiplostim.

Dr Alia bint Mohammed al Mughairy, Consultant – Paediatric Hematology and Oncology and head of the medical team, described the success as unprecedented globally, with the treatment demonstrating rapid and significant improvements in platelet, red blood cell and white blood cell counts without any reported side effects.

Romiplostim is a synthetic protein known for stimulating platelet production in patients with thrombocytopenia, specifically those experiencing bleeding complications in immune thrombocytopenia or as a result of radiation therapy or chemotherapy for solid tumours in children.

Dr Alia informed that the case is the first in the world of treating bone marrow failure in a Down syndrome patient, as published in the prestigious Pediatric Hematology Oncology Journal. She emphasised the rarity and seriousness of bone marrow failure, which reduces blood cell production and increases susceptibility to bleeding and infections, particularly in patients with Down syndrome.

The success of Romiplostim in enhancing blood cell production underscores the expertise and dedication of The Royal Hospital’s paediatric hematology team. It included Dr Dima Abla, Specialist in Paediatric Hematology and Oncology, Dr Huda bint Rashid al Habsi, Trainee Physician in Paediatric Hematology and Oncology in Oman Medical Specialty Board, and Dr Nasser al Rahbi, Consultant in Histopathology at The Royal Hospital.