Explore the breakthrough of uterine transplants enabling ‘miracle babies’ for women with uterine infertility. Key facts for UPSC, SSC, and bank exams.

Miracle Babies: The Science Behind Uterine Transplants – A Major Current Affairs Highlight (March 2025)

Introduction

Uterine transplants have emerged as a revolutionary fertility solution, offering hope to women with absolute uterine infertility. This medical advancement has recently made headlines with the birth of the UK’s first baby from a transplanted womb, marking a significant milestone in reproductive medicine and featuring prominently in the "current affairs March 2025" and "Atharva Examwise current news" updates29.

What is a Uterine Transplant?

A uterine (or womb) transplant is a surgical procedure where a healthy uterus is transplanted into a woman who either lacks a functional uterus or has lost hers due to medical conditions or surgery (such as hysterectomy). This allows the recipient to conceive, carry, and deliver a child. The transplant is temporary—typically removed after one or two pregnancies to reduce long-term risks from immunosuppressant drugs129.

Who Can Benefit?

Women born without a uterus (e.g., Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome)

Women who lost their uterus due to disease or surgery

Women with a non-functioning uterus

Donor Criteria

Age 30–50 years

Good health, BMI < 30

No diabetes, recent cancer, or infectious diseases (HIV, Hepatitis B/C)1

The Global Scenario: Key Developments

First Successful Birth: Sweden, 2014 – a landmark in medical history13.

Recent UK Milestone: In February 2025, the UK celebrated its first baby born from a transplanted womb, giving hope to thousands of women with uterine-factor infertility29.

India’s Achievement: India’s first uterine transplant was performed in Pune in May 2017, with the first successful birth in October 201841011.

Statistics & Success Rates

The Science and Procedure

Multidisciplinary Approach: Requires a team of transplant surgeons, reproductive endocrinologists, and obstetricians1.

Assisted Reproduction: IVF is used to create embryos before the transplant; pregnancy is attempted after a 6-month healing period1.

Temporary Solution: Uterus is removed after childbirth to stop immunosuppressant drugs and reduce long-term risks9.

Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams

Uterine transplants are now a clinical reality for women with absolute uterine infertility, offering an alternative to adoption or surrogacy12.

The first successful uterine transplant birth occurred in Sweden in 2014; the UK’s first such birth was in February 202529.

India’s first uterine transplant and birth took place in Pune, Maharashtra, in 2017 and 2018, respectively41011.

The procedure has a graft survival rate of 74% and a live birth rate exceeding 50% in successful cases138.

No congenital abnormalities have been reported in babies born from transplanted wombs so far18.

The procedure is complex, with notable surgical risks for both donors and recipients8.

Uterine transplants are temporary; the transplanted uterus is removed after childbirth9.

This topic is a trending highlight in "current affairs March 2025," relevant for "daily GK update" and "competitive exam news"515.

Why This Matters for Exams

Understanding uterine transplants is crucial for aspirants of UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other competitive exams. The topic blends science, technology, ethics, and current affairs—making it a probable question area in general awareness and science sections. It exemplifies how medical innovation addresses societal needs and is a key highlight in "Atharva Examwise current news" for March 2025.

Stay tuned to Atharva Examwise for more "current affairs March 2025" and "daily GK update" to boost your exam preparation!