Cord Blood Reversing Cerebral Palsy? -- Research Summary

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that can impair brain and nervous system functions. Patients may have issues with movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking. CP is caused by injuries or abnormalities in the brain. Most of these problems happen as the baby grows in the womb, but they can also happen at any time during the first two years of life when the baby’s brain is still developing. In some patients, parts of the brain are injured because of low levels of oxygen. Premature infants have a slightly higher risk of developing CP. Other conditions like bleeding in the brain, brain infections, head injuries, infections during pregnancy and severe jaundice can cause CP.

(SOURCE: U.S. National Library of Medicine - The World's Largest Medical Library)

SYMPTOMS OF CP: Symptoms of CP may vary, depending on the severity of the disorder, but they usually are present before a child is 2 years old. Some of these symptoms include: muscle tightness, abnormal gait, joint tightness, muscle weakness or loss of muscle movement, abnormal movements, tremors, unsteady gait, loss of coordination, speech problems, hearing or vision problems, seizures, pain, problems with swallowing, and floppy muscles.

(SOURCE: U.S. National Library of Medicine - The World's Largest Medical Library)

STANDARD TREATMENTS: There is no cure for CP. Currently, doctors may subscribe medications to lessen muscle tightness and improve functional abilities. Drugs can also relieve pain and manage complications associated with spasticity. Injections of Botox may also help isolated spasticity. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy may also be used to enhance functional abilities. Surgery may be needed to lessen muscle tightness or correct bone abnormalities caused by spasticity.

(SOURCE: Mayo Clinic)

NEW HOPE: Researchers from Duke University Medical Center are studying whether infusions of a child’s own cord blood could help improve the symptoms of CP. Children with the spastic form of CP who are between ages 1 and 6 and have their own cord blood available for use may enroll in the clinical trial. The cord blood is infused intravenously. Because it is the child’s own cord blood, there is no risk of rejection. "There’s a huge need to be able to come up with a treatment for cerebral palsy for children who have lifelong problems," Joanne Kurtzberg, M.D., from Duke University Medical Center, told Ivanhoe. Dr. Kurtzberg says if her research proves to be a success, the next step is to try to use cord blood to prevent CP. She is currently conducting a study where she is treating newborns that have low oxygen at birth with their own cord blood. (SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Dr. Kurtzberg) MORE

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