UMBILICAL CORD STEM CELL THERAPY FOR CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

T HE AUTHORS HYPOTHESIZE that stem/progenitor cells from umbilical cord blood are safe and promising for various brain injuries and disorders. A six month pilot study predicated on parental observations and completed questionnaires concerning the responses of cerebral palsy- stricken children to treatment with umbilical cord stem cells was launched during 2004. As part of this Mexican study, eight children (3-12 years of age) diagnosed with cerebral palsy underwent transplants with 1.5 million stem/progenitor cells (CD34+ and CD133+) that had been purified and ex- panded from the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB)-certified human umbilical cord blood. According to parent tendered observational re- ports, none of the children had graft versus host reactions. Eight out of eight children showed some improvement in mobility and/or cognitive function. Six children (75%) were rated as improving in muscle tone, hip movement, leg movement, rolling to the side, balancing while sitting and balancing while standing by the end of the six month follow up. Further research, correlating parent ratings with tomography studies and physical therapy evaluations, seems warranted.