Toddler Survives Rare Genetic Disorder After Landmark Transplant

Griscelli Syndrome Type II affects roughly one in every million children, often triggering hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a condition where the immune system aggressively attacks vital organs. Without intervention, most children diagnosed with the disorder do not survive past age five. Victoria, who was diagnosed at just two months old, required urgent, specialized treatment to manage both the syndrome and the resulting HLH.

Dr. Ossama Maher, director of the hospital’s Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, oversaw the procedure. By utilizing a haploidentical transplant from the girl's father, the medical team successfully bypassed the typical search for a fully matched donor. Following a year of intensive care, Victoria was cleared to return home in July 2026. Her doctors now expect her to lead a healthy life, viewing the successful transplant as a definitive cure for her condition.