Bone marrow transplant – children - discharge

What to Expect at Home

Your child had a bone marrow transplant . It will take 6 to 12 months or more for their blood counts and immune system to fully recover. During this time, their risk of infection, bleeding, and skin problems is higher.

Their body is still weak. It may take up to a year for your child to feel like they did before their transplant. They will likely get tired very easily. They may also have a poor appetite.

If they received bone marrow from someone else, they may develop signs of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Ask their health care provider to tell you what signs of GVHD you should watch for.

Preventing Infections

Take care that your child does not to get infections for 1 year or more after their transplant.

• Keeping your house clean is important to help prevent infection. But do not vacuum or clean while your child is in the room.
• Keep your child away from crowds.
• Ask visitors who have a cold to wear a mask, or not to visit.
• DO NOT let your child play in the yard or handle flowers and plants.

Make sure your child follows guidelines for safe eating and drinking during her cancer treatment.

• DO NOT let them eat or drink anything that may be undercooked or spoiled at home or when eating out. Learn how to cook and store foods safely.
• Make sure their water is safe to drink.

Make sure your child washes their hands with soap and water often, including:

• After touching body fluids, such as mucous or blood
• Before handling food
• After going to the bathroom
• After using the telephone
• After being outdoors

Ask the doctor what vaccines your child may need and when to get them.

Oral Care

Your child's immune system is weak. So it is important to take good care of your child's oral health. This will help prevent infections that can become serious and spread. Make sure your child's dentist knows that your child has had a bone marrow transplant. That way you can work together to ensure the best oral care for your child.

• Have your child to brush his teeth and gums 2 to 3 times a day for 2 to 3 minutes each time. Give them a toothbrush with soft bristles to use. Floss gently once a day.
• Let your child's toothbrush air dry between brushings.
• Make sure your child uses toothpaste with fluoride.
• Have your child rinse his mouth 4 times a day with a salt and baking soda solution. (Mix one half teaspoon, or 2.5 mL, of salt and one half teaspoon, or 2.5 mL, of baking soda in 8 ounces, or 237 mL, of water.)
• Your child's doctor may prescribe a mouth rinse. Make sure it is alcohol-free.
• Take care of your child's lips with products made with lanolin. Tell your child's doctor if they develop new mouth sores or pain.
• DO NOT let your child eat foods and drinks that have a lot of sugar in them. Give them sugarless gums or sugar-free popsicles or sugar-free hard candies.

Take care of your child's braces, retainers, or other dental products:

• Children can continue to wear oral appliances like retainers as long as they fit well.
• Clean retainers and retainer cases daily with an antibacterial solution. As your doctor or dentist to recommend one.
• If any areas of permanent braces irritate your child's gums, use mouth guards or dental wax to protect the delicate mouth tissue.

General Care

If your child has a central venous line or PICC line , be sure to learn how to take care of it.

• If your child's provider tells you your child's platelet count is low, learn how to prevent bleeding during cancer treatment .

  Prevent bleeding during cancer treatmen

  Cancer treatment - bleeding; Chemotherapy - bleeding; Radiation - bleeding; Bone marrow transplant - bleeding; Thrombocytopenia - cancer treatment...

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Give your child enough protein and calories to keep her weight up.

  Protein and calories

  Getting more calories - adults; Chemotherapy - calories; Transplant - calories; Cancer treatment - calories

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Ask your child's provider about liquid food supplements that can help her get enough calories and nutrients.
• Protect your child from the sun. Make sure she wears a hat with a wide brim and sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on any exposed skin.

Take care when your child plays with toys:

• Make sure that your child only plays with toys that can easily be cleaned. Avoid toys that cannot be washed.
• Wash dishwasher-safe toys in the dishwasher. Clean other toys in hot, soapy water.
• DO NOT allow your child to play with toys that other children have put in their mouth.
• Avoid using bath toys that retain water, like squirt guns or squeezable toys that can draw water inside.

Be careful with pets and animals:

• If you have a cat, keep it inside. DO NOT bring in any new pets.
• Keep all pets away from where your child eats, sleeps, or spends a lot of time, such as a play area.
• DO NOT let your child play with animals. Scratches and bites can easily get infected.
• DO NOT let your child come near your cat's litter box.
• If your child touches a pet, make sure they use an antibacterial soap after handling it. DO NOT let dogs lick your child.

Resuming schoolwork and returning to school:

• Most children will need to do schoolwork at home during their recovery. Talk with your child's teacher about how to keep up with schoolwork and stay connected to classmates.
• Your child may be able to receive special help through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Talk with the hospital social worker to find out more.
• Once your child is ready to return to school, meet with teachers, nurses and other school staff to help them understand your child's medical condition. Arrange any special help or care as needed.

Follow-up

Your child will need close follow-up care from the transplant doctor and nurse for at least 3 months. At first, your child may need to be seen weekly. Be sure to keep all appointments.

When to Call the Doctor

If your child tells you about any bad feelings or symptoms then call your child's doctor. A symptom can be a warning sign of an infection. Watch for these symptoms:

• Fever
• Diarrhea that does not go away or is bloody
• Severe nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• Inability to eat or drink
• Extreme weakness
• Redness, swelling, or draining from any place where an IV line had been inserted
• Pain in the abdomen
• Fever, chills, or sweats, which may be signs of an infection
• A new skin rash or blisters
• Jaundice (skin or the white part of the eyes looks yellow)
• A very bad headache or a headache that does not go away
• A cough that is getting worse
• Trouble breathing when at rest or when doing simple tasks
• Burning when urinating