Cerebral Palsy – What Is the Disease?
Cerebral palsy is a broad term for conditions related to brain dysfunction in children. It can result from ischemia, hypoxia, or trauma. A common characteristic of the condition is mobility problems. The symptoms are linked to brain tissue loss and vary depending on the specific case. However, parents often notice developmental abnormalities in their child.
Treatment for cerebral palsy is symptomatic and individually tailored. It primarily involves intensive rehabilitation, which, combined with the plasticity of a child’s brain, can achieve significant improvements.
How Did Ada’s Story Begin?
Ada was born healthy, receiving 10 points on the Apgar scale, and her mother experienced a complication-free pregnancy. Initially, her parents noticed no concerning signs. However, by the time Ada was six months old, the first symptoms began to appear. The parents observed that Ada had difficulty grasping objects with her right hand.
Diagnostic tests, including a transcerebral ultrasound, revealed lesions in Ada’s brain. These lesions were likely ischemic in nature, indicating that Ada suffered a stroke during the first weeks or months of her life. As a result, she developed symptoms of cerebral palsy. The most challenging symptom for Ada was difficulty with precise movements in her right hand. She also experienced issues with walking and speech.
Ada’s Treatment
Concerned about Ada’s developmental challenges, her parents sought effective therapies. The family had banked Ada’s umbilical cord blood at birth, which contained stem cells. They connected with a leading center for stem cell transplantation and research at Duke University.
In collaboration with PBKM, the parents contacted specialists at Duke. The banked cord blood was sent to the U.S., and two-year-old Ada and her family traveled to the clinic. Following a one-day examination and medical interview, Ada received a transplant of her own cord blood-derived stem cells. No special preparation was necessary for the procedure, which was completed without complications. Ada was discharged from the hospital the same day.
Effects of Stem Cell Therapy
The first effects of the stem cell therapy became apparent just days after the transplant. Ada was able to independently open a cabinet using her right hand, which had previously been inoperable.
For Ada’s parents, the combination of stem cell therapy and regular rehabilitation produced remarkable results. Today, Ada attends kindergarten, plays with her peers, and the effects of her early stroke do not significantly impact her daily life.
Stem Cells and Cerebral Palsy
A team of researchers at Duke University, led by Joanne Kurtzberg, continues to explore the use of stem cells for cerebral palsy treatment. Published studies highlight improvements in motor functions when stem cell therapy is combined with traditional treatments. Even small improvements are considered significant, as they can enable children to perform tasks like grasping objects or independently squeezing their hand.
Improving the condition of a child with cerebral palsy depends on several factors, including their initial health status, consistent and effective rehabilitation, and access to innovative therapies like stem cell treatments. Banking umbilical cord blood at birth offers a unique, one-time opportunity to access such treatments. It is a chance worth taking.