Woman has baby in UK from ovary frozen in childhood
Advertisement
London : A woman in London has become the first to give birth after having her fertility restored using ovarian tissue frozen before the onset of puberty, doctors said.
Moaza Al Matrooshi, 24, had her right ovary removed when she was nine years old before undergoing chemotherapy treatment for a severe blood disorder, according to the University of Leeds where the ovarian tissue was frozen.
Her fertility was restored after the preserved tissue was transplanted last year, the university said.
"It is the first time that the success of the procedure has been shown in a pre-pubertal girl, and I'm delighted that this young woman has had her baby," said Helen Picton, head of the university's reproduction and early development division, who carried out the freezing.
The young woman gave birth to a baby boy at the private Portland Hospital in London on Tuesday, according to the BBC.
"It's like a miracle. We've been waiting so long for this result -- a healthy baby," she told the British broadcaster.
The Dubai national was born with beta thalassaemia, a blood disorder that reduces the production of haemoglobin and can be life-threatening.
She needed chemotherapy in preparation for a bone marrow transplant to treat the disorder but the treatment damaged her remaining ovary, bringing on the menopause in her early twenties, Leeds university said.
"Following her transplant her hormone levels began returning to normal, she began ovulating and her fertility was restored," the university explained on its website.
"Moaza is a pioneer and was one of the first patients we helped back in 2001, before any baby had been born from ovary tissue preservation," said Picton.
Last year, a Belgian woman gave birth after undergoing the same procedure with ovarian tissue frozen when she was 13 years old.
However, "unlike Moaza, she had begun going through puberty when her ovary was removed," according to the university.
Adam Balen, chairman of the British Fertility Society, said: "This is a ground-breaking step in this area of fertility preservation and has the potential to help many young people who face cancer treatment preserve their fertility chances in the future."
Moaza Al Matrooshi, 24, had her right ovary removed when she was nine years old before undergoing chemotherapy treatment for a severe blood disorder, according to the University of Leeds where the ovarian tissue was frozen.
Her fertility was restored after the preserved tissue was transplanted last year, the university said.
"It is the first time that the success of the procedure has been shown in a pre-pubertal girl, and I'm delighted that this young woman has had her baby," said Helen Picton, head of the university's reproduction and early development division, who carried out the freezing.
The young woman gave birth to a baby boy at the private Portland Hospital in London on Tuesday, according to the BBC.
"It's like a miracle. We've been waiting so long for this result -- a healthy baby," she told the British broadcaster.
The Dubai national was born with beta thalassaemia, a blood disorder that reduces the production of haemoglobin and can be life-threatening.
She needed chemotherapy in preparation for a bone marrow transplant to treat the disorder but the treatment damaged her remaining ovary, bringing on the menopause in her early twenties, Leeds university said.
"Following her transplant her hormone levels began returning to normal, she began ovulating and her fertility was restored," the university explained on its website.
"Moaza is a pioneer and was one of the first patients we helped back in 2001, before any baby had been born from ovary tissue preservation," said Picton.
Last year, a Belgian woman gave birth after undergoing the same procedure with ovarian tissue frozen when she was 13 years old.
However, "unlike Moaza, she had begun going through puberty when her ovary was removed," according to the university.
Adam Balen, chairman of the British Fertility Society, said: "This is a ground-breaking step in this area of fertility preservation and has the potential to help many young people who face cancer treatment preserve their fertility chances in the future."
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.