From research labs to treatment centers in India, stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy is emerging as a next-generation hope for patients suffering from the disease.
Cerebral palsy (CP), also known as Little’s disease, is among the most common disabilities among children that affects the muscle tone, movement and posture. Statistically, 4 in 1000 children suffer from CP globally, while 2-3 children per 1000 are affected with CP in India. Traditionally cerebral palsy treatment focuses on its management, which includes palliative care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy. In extreme cases, surgical intervention might be recommended to correct muscle contracture. However, there is no permanent cure known for CP cases, which calls for immediate need for therapy that can target the root cause of the problem.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Children with CP face trouble controlling their muscle coordination, which affects their ability to maintain posture or balance. The signal passed through the brain related to movement remains unprocessed or disrupted. There are distinct types of CP, including:
- Spastic CP: This is the most common type of CP, where children face exaggerated reflexes, stiffness or tightness of muscles.
- Ataxic CP: Children face problems with balancing, depth perception or fine motor skills.
- Dyskinetic CP: Children show issues like random jerking or twisting while maintaining the posture.
- Mixed CP: Children face mixed challenges.
CP among children is affected majorly during the early developmental stage (before birth or immediately after birth). The factors affecting CP can vary:
- Prenatal: Infections like rubella, toxin exposure, or mental health conditions.
- Birth complication: Premature birth or lack of oxygenation during birth
- Postnatal Factor: Most rare cases, mostly occur due to brain injuries, infections, etc., at the early stage.
Despite the lack of curative treatment against CP Stem Cell Cerebral Palsy Treatment is an emerging area in medical therapeutics that promises next-generation treatment options.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cells for cerebral palsy treatment involve the injection of immature stem cells that originate from an individual’s body. In CP treatment, stem cells can replace degenerating cells, such as oligodendrocytes, from healthy donors.
Stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy uses a distinct type of stem cells, including:
Autologous: Stem cells taken from the patient’s body (umbilical cord/ bone marrow). This has minimal risk of autoimmune rejection.
Allogeneic: Stem cells obtained from a donor
Umbilical Cord Blood: This cell type can be either autologous or allogeneic; this consists of a variety of stem cells
How Stem Cell Treatment Helps in Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy stem cell treatments have shown dramatic success globally and in India. It not only repairs the degenerated nerves but also provides neuroprotection that restricts the ongoing changes. The significant advantage of using Stem Cell Treatment for Cerebral Palsy includes:
- Elevate the production of neurotrophic factors that promote the proliferation and differentiation of nervous cells.
- Increase adequate brain myelination by triggering the production of oligodendrocytes.
- Promotes new blood vessel formation (neovascularization)
- Stimulates neuroplasticity by increasing the number of synapses
- Increase the number of brain microglia that are involved in normal brain tissue or in repairing brain damage
- Reduces free radicals significantly, which have a detrimental effect on the nervous system
Stem Cell Treatment for Cerebral Palsy, India
With the growth of regenerative medicine research, India has become the hub of Stem Cell Treatment for Cerebral Palsy. The primary goal is to deliver curative treatment that improves motor skills, reduces tremors, and improves the muscle tone of the patient. The latest research focuses on the use of MSCs that can restore myelin in the nervous system, hence improving signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy.
The presence of a specialized organization like ‘Advancells’ provides GMP certified stem cells that can maintain standard of therapy. The focus of renowned clinics remains on undertaking a personalized approach for the child’s treatment. The personalization is achieved through the evaluation of the child.
Regulatory and Safety Considerations
The safety considerations for Cerebral palsy stem cell treatment, India are maintained by regulatory bodies like ICMR and CDSCO. Renowned organization offering Cerebral palsy treatment, India strictly maintains the regulatory guidelines for delivering safe therapy.
What you Should Know About the Treatment Process
Stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy is a time-bound process. Here is what you need to know:
- Consultation: Comprehensive medical evaluation of the child, family history, and other medical examinations, like imaging, are considered.
- Collection of cells: Healthy stem cells from donors are obtained (allogeneic or autologous) under strict medical regulation.
- Conditioning: The Child undergoes chemotherapy or radiotherapy for the destruction of damaged cells
- Infusion of Healthy cells: Healthy stem cells are infused in a patient’s bloodstream through a determined administration method.
- Recovery: Infusion of stem cells is followed by close monitoring of patient response.
The expected time for improvement typically varies between 3-6 months. The regenerative stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy might require 1-2 sessions followed by a recovery process.
Potential Benefits and Expected Outcomes
The administration of stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy has potential benefits in improving the quality of life of the patient. Cerebral Palsy Stem Cell Treatment in India has several advantages such as:
- Improvement in gross and fine motor function, such as walking, sitting, crawling, hand movement, etc.
- A decrease in muscle tone that enables a better range of motion.
- Improves cognitive function, like increased alertness, focus, and concentration
- Improvement with other life skills like speech, swallowing or drooling, social adaptability, self-dependence, visual ability, etc.
- Improvement in psychiatric health, like a better mood
Risks and Considerations
Stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy, India follows strict regulation and has minimal side effects. However, it is essential to know the factors that might affect a child’s response to therapy. This includes:
- Determining the dose/adequate number of stem cells for a desirable response.
- Route of administration: The healthcare practitioner believes intrathecal injection via lumbar puncture to be an effective way of administration over the traditional intravenous route.
- Age: Researchers belief a better response when treatment is provided at an early age
- Follow-up: Strict follow-up of the progress is pivotal, beginning from one month after the therapy up to 12 months.
You must choose a renowned and trustworthy clinic or organisation for your child. With advanced stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy, India, Advancells is committed to helping your child achieve healthier, happier growth.
Cost of Stem Cell Therapy in India
The cost of stem cell treatment for CP in India might vary between 1,50,000 to 25,00,000. This depends on the specific needs of the patient, the administration procedure, the choice of clinics, the complexity, or the type of stem cell used for the therapy.
Conclusion
CP among children occurs at early life stage, hence adversly affects thier quality life. Conventional treatment for CP focuses on its management rather than the curative aspect. There is immense need for opting innovative treatment options like stem cell therapy that can target root cause of the problem.
Cerebral Palsy Treatment Success Stories
FAQ’s:
Q-What is CP? What are the treatment option?
CP is among the most common disabilities among children that affects the muscle tone, movement and posture. Common treatment option includes speech therapy, behaviourial therapy, medication, etc.
Q-What is CP? What are the treatment option?
CP is among the most common disabilities among children that affects the muscle tone, movement and posture. Common treatment option includes speech therapy, behaviourial therapy, medication, etc.
Q-Why do muscles become weak in cerebral palsy?
Children with cerebral palsy often lack nutrition due to poor oral motor skill development. The child faces problems with chewing, swallowing, and a lack of ability for voluntary movement. Hence, the muscles become weaker.
Q-Would stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy be safe for my child?
Yes, stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy would be safer for your child when strict safety regulations are maintained. It is very important to contact a certified renowned clinic for the consultation.
Q-Will my child become normal after stem cell therapy?
Yes, the success rate of stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy is really promising. The child is expected to show significant improvement from 6 months of the therapy.
Q-What can be the side effects after stem cell therapy?
Generally the side effects are mild like fever, headaches, chills, or nausea. However, in case of severe side effects, immune rejection and infection might occur. We recommend taking help from a renowned clinic and being in regular touch with your doctor.
Recent Comments