Stem cell therapy as an option for pediatric surgical conditions

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.