title: Stem cell therapy as an option for pediatric surgical conditions.
abstract: Regenerative medicine aims to replace, repair, or restore normal function of cells, tissues, and organs that are damaged by disease and holds a promising potential for the treatment of congenital anomalies. Herein, we present an overview of the different stem cell populations and discuss the potentials and most recent updates in stem cell therapy relevant to pediatric surgeons. In particular, we focus on stem cell applications in intestinal regeneration for necrotizing enterocolitis, liver regeneration in biliary atresia and human hepatocyte transplantation for liver failure, and pulmonary regeneration of hypoplastic lungs due to prematurity or congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, University College London Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zani
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, University College London Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Coppi
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000601:surgery; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000601:surgery; D008168:Lung / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D010372:Pediatrics; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative