Experimental Treatment Benefits Girl with Cerebral Palsy

Chloe Levine, a two-year-old girl living with cerebral palsy, has started displaying significant signs of improvement following an experimental treatment she endured at Duke University in May 2008. This experimental cerebral palsy treatment involved using the child's own umbilical cord blood to stimulate new cell growth and development.

Chloe's cord blood was available because her parents had saved it, following her birth, and housed it with a private firm.

Current Cerebral Palsy Treatments

While there is currently no cure for cerebral palsy, experimental studies, such as this groundbreaking Duke study, are crucial in paving the way for new treatments that may eventually lead to a cure for this debilitating condition. However, until a cure is found, current cerebral palsy treatments typically include:

• Anti-epileptic medications
• Assistive technologies (such as voice-recognition computer programs)
• Botox injections (to reduce muscle spasms)
• Physical therapy
• Speech therapy
• Surgery
• Various medical devices (such as glasses, hearing aids, splints and braces).

Like many children with cerebral palsy, Chloe was diagnosed in late infanthood when she started attempting to move around. Chloe's parents recognized that she was dragging her right leg – a common symptom of cerebral palsy – as she tried to crawl. They also noticed that baby Chloe was having problems using her right hand to grab things and hold her bottle.

The Choice and Effects of Experimental Treatment

Upon noticing these physical disabilities in their daughter, her parents brought Chloe to specialists who ultimately diagnosed her with cerebral palsy. After pursuing traditional treatment options for a short time, the Levines learned of the Duke research and decided to enlist Chloe.

During her stints of treatment at Duke, researchers used stem cells (which come from the blood cord) to encourage cell growth on areas of Chloe's brain that are damaged.

Following these treatments, researchers and Chloe's parents have reported noticing a nearly instant improvement in the girl's movement, coordination and mobility.

The promising results of this study have created a need for further research regarding the rehabilitative properties of stem cells for cerebral palsy patients.

(Source: Cerebral Palsy Law Blog)

Do you have a child living with cerebral palsy? If so, contact a cerebral palsy lawyer for more information and resources regarding your legal rights.