Fellowship in Pediatric Immunology and BMT

Overview

The aim of the program is to provide a structured and formatted advanced training in Pediatric Clinical Immunology encompassing both clinical and laboratory aspects of Immunology. The fellows would get hands on experience in the treatment of these patients including bone marrow transplants. These trained specialists would provide comprehensive specialist care of the highest order and serve as future teachers, trainers and researchers in the field of Pediatric Clinical Immunology. The goal is to train physicians to identify children with immunological diseases (immunodeficiencies, autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases), perform relevant screening and diagnostic evaluation, use genetic testing rationally and provide genetic counseling. The fellows would be trained in the treatment of such patients including treatment of infections, autoimmunity and the usage of immunoglobulins and biologic medications. The program also intends to train physicians to be competent in the use of hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy for the treatment of immune deficiencies. We shall train the fellows in indications for transplant; pre-transplant patient evaluation; identification and selection of stem cell sources; use ofdonor registries; methodologies of HLA typing; marrow cryopreservation; management of ABO incompatible cell products; administration of high-dose chemotherapy; management of neutropenic fever; management of bacterial/viral/fungal diseases in immunocompromised patients, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, late complications of marrow transplantation; as well as training in documentation of all the relevant clinical details. Trainees shall gain experience in bone marrow harvest, stem cell apheresis, stem cell product infusions, and advanced cell processing techniques. Fellows would also complete a research project in Clinical Immunology by the completion of their training program.

Pediatric Immunology and BMT division work in close collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in the hospital. The hospital is equipped with an advanced 12-bed PICU department that has the necessary wherewithal to manage bone marrow and solid organ transplant patients in case of need. The Pediatric Department has a robust teaching program for training pediatric fellows (DNB in Pediatrics, 3-year course), fellowships in Pediatric and Neonatal ICUs. Fellows in the training program would also be actively involved in teaching DNB students.

• Applications (online) invited – Month of January, every year
• Interview – Month of March, every year
• Course begins – 1st April, every year

Eligibility

Candidate should have completed MD (Pediatrics) or DNB (Pediatrics) or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Medical Council of India.

Minimum Education