A double liver-kidney transplant on the same day for two 16-year-old twins suffering from a rare metabolic disease: the operation was performed at Bambino Gesù thanks to a compatible donor and the generosity of his family. Today the kids, who were forced into a severe diet to counteract the serious effects of their illness (methylmalonic acidemia), celebrate one year since the transplant with a quality of life more similar to that of their friends and schoolmates, even being able to indulge in the taste of a pizza cooked by themselves in the catering institute they attend. On the eve of National Organ and Tissue Donation Day (April 14) their story is an encouragement to all families going through similar difficulties.
Methylmalonic acidemia is a rare disease that affects approximately 2 people in every 100,000. In the body there is a progressive accumulation of methylmalonic acid, a highly toxic substance harmful to various organs and systems such as the nervous system, kidneys, eyes and pancreas. From the first days of life, patients experience crises of metabolic intoxication, responsible for neurological disorders, neurocognitive deficit, growth retardation and renal failure.