One of the most feared complications is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This can be a serious and life-threatening complication of a stem cell transplant.
GVHD occurs when the child’s immune system reacts against the recipient’s tissue in allogeneic transplants. Then, the transplanted cells start to attack the other cells in the body.
GVHD risk is greater if the stem cells come from an unrelated donor, but it can happen to any patient who gets a bone marrow transplant from a donor.