Former GOSH patient has world-first birth after having an ovary frozen as a child

Moaza Al Matrooshi, from Dubai, was born with the blood disorder beta thalassaemia. She came to GOSH in 2001 and received chemotherapy as part of bone marrow transplant treatment.  A team of GOSH doctors, including Professor Paul Veys and Dr Alison Leiper, first introduced the idea of ovary freezing to Moaza’s family and, with their consent, arranged for it to happen.

Offering ovary freezing to patients undergoing chemotherapy was uncommon in the early 2000’s but is now more routinely offered to patients having high dose chemotherapy treatment at GOSH.

While chemotherapy is an effective treatment for preparing patients’ bodies for a bone marrow transplant, it frequently leads to infertility in women and girls. Recent advances in medicine have meant that women’s ovaries can be frozen, ready for thawing and re-implanting once their treatment is over and they wish to conceive.

Moaza’s baby marks the first time that an infant has been born after the mother’s ovary was frozen before puberty. 

Professor Paul Veys, Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital, explains: “I am delighted to hear the news that Moaza has given birth. The arrival of her baby boy will give hope to many of the women who had their ovaries frozen as children. One day in the future, maybe they too will be able to have a family of their own.”

Dr Peter Steer, Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, says: “GOSH strives to develop new and innovative practices that improve the lives of our patients now and long into their future. I am delighted to hear the foresight of GOSH clinicians, who worked in partnership with other leading centres, has allowed Moaza the chance to be a mother.”