After a challenging battle with the rare disease chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), five-year-old Elijah is now able to walk and attend school again, thanks to the successful treatment he received at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi.
Elijah, a young Filipino boy, was diagnosed with CRMO, a rare disorder predominantly affecting the long bones of children and adolescents, leading to symptoms such as bone or joint pain, swelling, and loss of function.
According to a Khaleej Times report, the youngster had been bedridden due to chronic back pain before the diagnosis was confirmed at SKMC’s rheumatology clinic through comprehensive investigations, including a whole-body MRI scan.
Under the care of Dr. Kamran Mahmood, a consultant pediatric rheumatologist at SKMC, Elijah followed a prescribed treatment regimen that significantly improved his condition.
Not only did the treatment alleviate his pain, but it also restored his ability to stand and walk, paving the way for his return to school. Dr. Mahmood emphasized the potential for this successful treatment to offer hope to other children suffering from CRMO, highlighting the critical role of specialized rheumatology services in ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Elijah’s family has expressed their deep gratitude to the team at SKMC.
“I cannot express how grateful I am to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City for giving my son a second chance at life,” Elijah’s mother said in the Khaleej Times report.
She praised the hospital’s dedicated team of specialists for their compassionate care and tireless efforts in treating her son.
This milestone in Elijah’s recovery journey not only marks a personal victory for him and his family but also underscores the advancements being made by PureHealth, the largest healthcare platform in the Middle East, and its subsidiary SEHA’s SKMC in diagnosing and treating rare musculoskeletal conditions in children.
Dr. Muna Al Hammadi, the acting chief medical officer at SKMC, reiterated the healthcare provider’s commitment to delivering exceptional pediatric care, in line with the vision of PureHealth and the directives of SEHA.
“We will continue to prioritize excellence in pediatric healthcare and remain dedicated to serving our patients and their families with the utmost care and compassion,” Dr. Al Hammadi added.
