Stem cell transplantation center

At the stem cell transplantation center, we treat children and young people who need an allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). The center is a collaboration between the Princess Máxima Center and the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital.

The Stem Cell Transplantation Center is located on the third floor and is part of the hematology-oncology department. We perform stem cell transplants for children and young people with, among others:

relapsed or very high-risk leukemia
myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
bone marrow failure
Fanconi anemia
certain metabolic diseases (such as Hurler syndrome)
other conditions requiring an allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Treatment

After the stem cell transplantation, your child will visit the outpatient clinic regularly for a consultation with the doctor or nurse practitioner. Before each appointment, we measure height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature, and take a blood sample. We also check whether your child’s immune system is recovering well and watch for signs of infection or graft-versus-host disease. Because of the transplantation, your child will need to receive all previous vaccinations again. These will be given once the immune system has recovered sufficiently.

Supporting your child’s development

We aim not only to provide the best treatment, but also to help children live as normal a life as possible and continue to develop despite their illness. We call this development-oriented care.

The Máxima Center was designed and built with this in mind. In addition to the parent–child rooms, there are various facilities such as the teen lounge, the discovery area, the theater, the school, and several gardens with opportunities for sports and play.

Shared care

During and around the time of the stem cell transplantation, your child is especially vulnerable. During this period, care is provided exclusively by the transplantation team. Only at a later stage can a shared care center take over part of the care.

Referral procedure

Children from the Máxima Center or the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital (WKZ) can be referred through the registration form in HiX.
Children from other hospitals can be registered for SCT at the Máxima Center using the patient registration form for stem cell transplantation.

Registration of external donors

Centers that have an agreement with the Máxima Center can register potential underage donors for an adult brother or sister for medical evaluation and bone marrow collection using the form Application for underage donor – external donor assessment.

Contact

You can reach the Stem Cell Transplantation Center at 088-9729298 or sctcoordinatie@prinsesmaximacentrum.nl.