Can Cerebral Palsy Stem Cell Research Treat Cerebral Palsy?
All expectant parents are provided with information about cord blood banking. Those who choose to store umbilical cord blood have the option to call on this resource in the future to potentially help treat blood or immune system diseases that their children may develop. Now, revolutionary new stem cell clinical trials are being tested on children who have cerebral palsy, autism, and other brain injuries.
Using Cord Blood to Treat Cerebral Palsy and More
This latest advancement in stem cell research comes from Duke University Medical where clinical trial are being conducted. In this latest innovation in stem cell therapy, cord blood infusions can be given to the child (autologous) donor or one of their siblings who suffer from:
- Cerebral palsy
- Hydrocephalus
- Hypoxic brain injury
- Autism
- Apraxia
- Stroke
- Other brain injuries
This development is being tested thanks to the positive results from an earlier clinical trial that infused 25 autistic children with cord blood. This test showed marked improvement in the overall autism symptoms of each child, including better communication and social behavior.
Not Treating but Preventing Cerebral Palsy
Over 1 million families in the country have banked cord blood, and access to this new cord blood treatment could be life-changing for tens of thousands of sufferers of cerebral palsy. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but some cases could become manageable with this cord blood innovation and cerebral palsy stem cell research.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describe cerebral palsy as the most common motor disability in childhood. What is often not commented on, however, is the reality that cerebral palsy is a preventable condition.
There are several preventable birth injuries that could cause brain injury in an infant and lead to cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, or other brain traumas, including:
- Oxygen deprivation during birth
- Poor monitoring of vitals
- Fetal or maternal distress
- Failure to do a caesarean section soon enough
- Prolapsed umbilical cord
- Improper use of delivery instruments, like forceps
Because these scenarios could be prevented with proper attention, care, and expertise, families of children with cerebral palsy often find themselves faced with answering two questions: Is my child’s lifelong diagnosis of cerebral palsy the result of medical malpractice? Should I take legal action against the doctors, nurses, or hospital where my child was born?
There Is No Cure for Cerebral Palsy
A child with cerebral palsy is not just a tragedy, it’s a permanent sentence for him or her and your family. Childhood will be filled with doctor visits, therapy, and constant care. While some CP sufferers go on to lead normal, though forever altered, lives, far more children never have such an opportunity. Their ability to mature like their peers, tend to their own needs, hold a job, and live independently has been stolen. Cerebral palsy stem cell research may help the suffering live a better life.
If you believe that your child’s cerebral palsy is the result of poor medical care, it’s time to find out what your options are. Contact the Michigan medical malpractice attorneys at Thurswell Law. Our experience in birth injury cases is extensive, and our success rate is too. Schedule your consultation today.
