Doctors grow vein with girl's own stem cells_美文

Doctors grow vein with girl's own stem cells

Experts from University College London raised questions in an accompanying commentary about how cost-effective the procedure might be, citing "acute pressures" on health systems that might make these treatments impractical for many patients.

Sumitran-Holgersson estimated the cost at between $6,000 and $10,000.

Patients with the girl's condition are usually treated with a vein transplant from their own leg, a donated vein or a liver transplant. Those options can be complicated in children, and using a donated vein or liver also requires taking anti-rejection medicine.

Since her first transplant, the girl, who was not identified, has grown 6 cm and gained weight. Her parents say she is much more focused, articulate and physically active, Sumitran-Holgersson said.

"She was always tired and hardly went to school before," she said. "Last week, her father said she did somersaults for the first time."

Other experts predicted that it should soon be possible for doctors to build arteries for patients.

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.