March 12, 2010
/24-7PressRelease/ --
Researchers to Study Promising New Cerebral Palsy Treatment
Medical College of Georgia researchers have begun an FDA-approved clinical trial to test whether an infusion of stem cells from umbilical cord blood can improve the motor skills, neurological development, and the overall quality of life of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Dr. James Carroll, the chief of pediatric neurology at the school and head of the study, says that stem cells can divide and morph into different types of cells throughout the body.
Dr. Carroll believes while not a cure, the stem cells could help change the course of development of brain injuries in children with cerebral palsy. The researchers cite animal studies that have shown infused stem cells can help injured brain cells recover and replace dead brain cells.
The umbilical cord blood was stored by the children's parents at Cord Blood Registry in Tucson, Arizona. The infusion of this cord blood carries a very low risk of rejection because it is essentially the blood of the recipient.
Causes and Treatments of Cerebral Palsy
Though cerebral palsy has many possible causes, it is usually related to a problem in development, a brain injury, or a lack of oxygen to the brain before birth or soon after. A smaller number of cases occur if a child suffers brain damage during the first few years of life. The condition can impair movement, learning, hearing, vision and cognitive skills.
Cerebral palsy permanently affects body movement, but it is not a progressive condition. The earlier the treatment of a child with the condition, the better the chance the child can improve on their capabilities or learn new ways to accomplish tasks. Treatments include physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, drugs, surgery, orthotic devices and communication aids.
Depending on the findings of the clinical trial, stem cell infusion from cord blood could become a viable treatment option. Anecdotal evidence has shown that this type of treatment improves the condition of those with cerebral palsy -- sometimes in as quickly as three months -- but this is the first controlled clinical trial.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that 1 in 278 children have cerebral palsy. Those with cerebral palsy can exhibit a wide range of symptoms, from a child who may seem clumsy or awkward to a child who cannot walk.
If you believe your child's cerebral palsy may have been caused by a birth injury due to the negligence of medical personnel, consider contacting a qualified medical malpractice attorney.
Article provided by Olson Law Firm
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