24/09/2020
Baby Matthew’s mother had a full term normal delivery without complications. Matthew cried after birth and no health issues were observed. On the 3rd day following his birth, he developed jaundice and was given treatment for the same. Following discharge from the hospital, Matthew was healthy and no issues were evident until the 6th month following his birth. Firstly, Matthew’s mother observed absence of neck holding ability and delay in development, compared to other infants of his age. She observed tightness in his hand and leg muscles due to which he would curl his wrist and feet. He was unable to hold onto any objects due to this issue. Moreover, Matthew was unable to sit or stand even with support. Gradually, she noted that he was unable to speak even monosyllables.
On consulting doctors in their hometown, Matthew was diagnosed as a case of Cerebral Palsy. He was advised rehabilitation, but the family was told that the child would not recover and would require assistance to perform activities of daily living. The family, while searching for newer therapies for cerebral palsy, came across a patient who was treated for the same condition in India through cell based therapy. They consulted Dr. Mahajan, under whom the other patient had undergone treatment and decided to come to India for the treatment.
Dr. Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher, explains, “Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term covering a group of non-progressive, but often changing, motor impairment syndromes secondary to lesions or anomalies of the brain arising in the early stages of development. There is motor impairment and can also present with global physical and mental dysfunction. It is the most common physical disability in childhood, occurring in 2.0 to 2.5 per 1000 live births. It may occur due to various pre-natal, ante-natal, and post-natal causes (infectious and other)”. He further explains, “Conventional treatment programs encompass physical and behavioral therapy, pharmacologic and surgical treatments, mechanical aids, and management of associated medical conditions. However, there is limited evidence for reduction in spasticity or other symptoms by these therapies.”
Cell based therapy utilizes the regenerative potential of the human body to treat conditions. Cells and growth factors present in our body can migrate to the brain and improve function following injury. These biological agents have strong self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation potentials.
Dr. Mahajan explains, “The mechanism of regenerative medicine and cell based therapy in neurological conditions may involve cell replacement function and neurotrophic effect. Brain and nerve related growth factors can promote the functions of other cells of the immune system and can improve their immune regulation and resistance. Furthermore, these biological agents through their paracrine functions improve blood circulation in the injured regions and create a microenvironment that is favorable for the regeneration.”
In Matthew’s case, one session of cell based therapy along with intensive neurorehabilitation (physiotherapy, neuro-muscular stimulation therapies, and other allied modalities of acupuncture, yoga, dietary modifications) was advised.
A month following treatment, Matthew is now able to sit without support and tremendous improvement in neck holding ability is observed. He tries to get up on his own from sleeping to sitting position and is able to do so with support. Tightness in muscles has reduced and he grasps toys, which he was unable to before treatment. Matthew has been advised to continue physiotherapy rehabilitation and speech therapy to aid in further improvement.
“I am noticing improvement in Matthew’s condition in a short time and I am positive that he will continue to recover further with rehabilitation. Cell based therapy helped reduce tightness and strengthened his muscles due to which he can now sit without support and hold items. He even makes sounds and tries to speak single alphabets. No surgery is involved in this treatment, which is an advantage in young children like Matthew. I am sure that with time he will be able to perform daily activities by himself,” says Matthew’s mother.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xSYt4ve908&t=107s