An Andalusian baby with an ultra-rare genetic disease She has been transferred from Seville to London to undergo a thymus transplant, a highly complex procedure performed in only two centers worldwide. The operation, aimed at rebuilding her virtually nonexistent immune system, offers a glimmer of hope for her long-term survival.
El Virgen del RocÃo University Hospital The hospital has taken on the diagnosis, clinical preparation, and all the logistics of the international transfer, coordinating with Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and other Spanish centers. The case has become an example of how cooperation between specialists and participation in European research networks make it possible to offer treatments that were unattainable until very recently.
A rare genetic syndrome that leaves the baby defenseless
The girl suffers CHARGE syndrome, also known as CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by multiple congenital malformations and, in its most severe forms, by the absence of the thymus and a complete deficiency of T lymphocytes. This organ, located in the center of the chest, behind the sternum, is essential for the immune system to mature and defend the body against infections.
In these cases, the The immunological alteration is extremely severe....to the point of seriously compromising the lives of newborns. Without a sufficient number of functional T lymphocytes, any common infection can become a life-threatening situation, especially during the first months of life, when the body is most vulnerable.
The specialists from Virgen del RocÃo, in collaboration with professionals from Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital of HuelvaThey identified the clinical picture and confirmed the diagnosis of CHARGE syndrome with absence of thymus and almost total absence of T lymphocytes. This initial work of detection, stabilization and genetic study proved key to being able to opt for thymus transplantation as the only realistic alternative.
According to the teams of Pediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The child presented a very high risk of serious infections From birth, very strict isolation and protection measures were maintained. The goal was to buy time and keep her in the best possible condition until her transfer and surgery abroad could be arranged.
A unique transplant that is only performed in two hospitals in the world.
Today, the thymus transplant It is a highly specialized technique performed only at two world-renowned hospitals: Great Ormond Street Hospital in London (United Kingdom) and Duke University in the United States. No center in Spain carries out this type of procedure, which necessitates referring patients internationally.
The minor has become the first Andalusian patient and the second Spanish woman to be referred to London for this treatment. The procedure was performed on March 13, 2026, at the London Children's Hospital, one of the centers with the most experience in this technique. According to information provided by the Virgen del RocÃo Hospital, the surgery was performed without complications.
The transplant consists of implant thymic tissue from a living donorThe tissue has been previously processed and cultured under controlled conditions. Once transplanted, this tissue must integrate and begin producing functional T lymphocytes, allowing the girl's body to build an immune system capable of fighting viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.
After the operation, the patient remained hospitalized in London for several weeks to ensure her clinical stability and rule out immediate complications. On April 19, after assessing that her condition was clinically stable and with a favorable evolutionHis return to Seville was authorized to continue monitoring at his reference hospital.
Months of work for a highly complex international move
The organization of this case has required months of clinical and logistical preparation by the Virgen del RocÃo University Hospital. It's not just about securing a place in a foreign center, but also about keeping the patient stable, coordinating permits, managing medical documentation, ensuring adequate transportation, and agreeing on protocols with the receiving team.
Services from Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Physiotherapy Palliative care and other subspecialties. Each area has had a specific role, from maintaining respiratory and cardiac function to adjusting medications and support measures to minimize the risk of infection.
The transfer to London was carried out in a medicalized aircraftprepared to handle any issues during the trip and with reinforced isolation measures to protect the child from potential respiratory infections. Close coordination was maintained with Great Ormond Street Hospital, sharing detailed clinical information and defining in advance the steps to be taken upon arrival.
This level of healthcare coordination involves not only clinical teams, but also management units, medical transport services, health authorities and, of course, the patient's family, which has had to face a complex process from both an emotional and organizational point of view.
The role of the Virgen del RocÃo and the European networks
The case has highlighted the The distinctive role of the Virgen del RocÃo University Hospital in the management of complex and ultra-rare diseases in Spain. It is not the first time this center has coordinated highly specialized procedures, but it is one of the most striking examples due to the scarcity of hospitals worldwide that can perform this type of transplant.
To identify a candidate patient and support her until the intervention, it is essential to have highly specialized equipmentThey are familiar with international scientific literature and have access to the latest clinical guidelines. The professionals in Seville maintain regular contact with other European centers and are part of research networks in rare immunological diseases, which facilitates the exchange of experiences and the referral of exceptional cases.
Furthermore, the activation of international referral and treatment circuits This has been fundamental. When a procedure cannot be performed in Spain, the hospital must coordinate with the National Health System, the relevant authorities, and the destination center abroad to ensure that the referral is made under the best possible conditions and with adequate funding.
The Virgen del RocÃo has emphasized that examples like this demonstrate how the collaborative research and cooperation between hospitals They can transform the prognosis for diseases that, just a few years ago, had a very limited life expectancy. Access to innovative treatments in other countries thus becomes another part of the therapeutic options available to Spanish patients with extremely rare diseases.
Return to Seville and close monitoring of immune reconstitution
After her return to Seville on April 19, the baby was admitted to the Virgen del RocÃo Children's Hospitalwhere she remained under observation for a few days. Doctors have reported that her progress has been favorable, without serious incidents, and that the girl's clinical condition is considered stable, which allowed her to be discharged from the hospital at the end of that same month.
However, the work is not finished. Now begins a particularly delicate phase: the immune reconstitutionThis process, which will last between six and twelve months, is the time needed to verify that the transplanted thymic tissue is functional and that the body begins to produce T lymphocytes in sufficient quantity and quality.
During this period, the Pediatric Immunology team and the other involved specialties will carry out very strict periodic monitoring. specific tests to measure T lymphocytesImmune function tests and comprehensive clinical assessments to detect any signs of rejection, infection, or transplant-related complications early.
As part of this monitoring, a biopsy of the transplanted thymus at the Virgen del RocÃo University Hospital itself. The surgical team from the London hospital will participate in this procedure, traveling to Seville to work jointly with the professionals at the Children's Hospital, further strengthening international cooperation at a key moment in the patient's recovery.
Throughout these months, the girl will remain at home under very close supervision and with strict recommendations to prevent infection. Any minor infection can remain a serious problem while her immune system is still recovering, so the coordination between family and medical team will be essential.
This case illustrates how, thanks to the clinical specialization, multidisciplinary coordination, and international agreementsA baby with a severe immunodeficiency has received a thymus transplant, a procedure performed at only two centers worldwide. The challenge now is for the transplanted tissue to take hold and allow for the development of a competent immune system, an objective that will be closely monitored from Seville in collaboration with London.
