Treating cerebral palsy with cord blood stem cells

MANILA, Philippines -  A term to describe a group of neurological disorders characterized by lack of control in body movement, lack of muscle coordination, and impeded brain development, cerebral palsy is one of the most common congenital childhood disorders. In the United States, an estimated 500,000 children and adults have this condition. 

In the Philippines, the Central Palsied Association of the Philippines estimates that for every 1,000 live births in the country, 3.5 cases are affected with this disorder. This means that there are roughly about 300,000 Filipinos suffering from cerebral palsy. 

 But all may not be lost for cerebral palsy sufferers. In fact, just recently, Singapore-based neurosurgeon Dr. Keith Goh made history by being among the first in Asia to successfully administer treatment for cerebral palsy with cord blood stem cells. 

He was responsible for the stem cell treatment of Singapore-based Australian couple Michael and Louise Conn’s first-born child, Georgia, who underwent an unfortunate incident during her birth which resulted in cerebral palsy.

 Louise Conn narrates that Georgia’s condition and the search for treatment was perhaps one of the most difficult challenges that they had to face. “We knew we had Georgia’s cord blood banked. It took us over 18 months and an enormous amount of research, mainly on the Internet, to find information about the potential for using stem cells, the risks, if any, and especially using a child’s own cord blood to help cerebral palsy children,” narrates Louise Conn. “We got in contact with CordLife to see if it was possible to transport Georgia’s cord blood stem cells over to the United States. Then CordLife put us in contact with Dr Keith Goh, to discuss our plans further.” 

Dr. Keith Goh championed Georgia’s treatment through the hospital system and Singapore’s Ministry of Health. And finally, on September 8, 2009, Georgia received her own cord blood stem cells.  “No international journeys and new medical teams. All done in a hospital which was 10 minutes away from home and in one day,” quips Louise Conn. 

 Georgia’s condition improved dramatically since the cord blood stem cell infusion. Notably, there were significant changes in Georgia’s temperament, concentration, and engagement. She developed better visual focus and eye contact, had enhanced postural as well as head control, and had been observed to move with more coordination after the treatment. 

 Cord blood stem cells, known as the building blocks of the blood and immune system, are collected from the umbilical cord immediately after birth. “Stem cells in the cord blood possess the increased ability to adapt, revitalize, and replenish the blood and immune system by developing into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets,” explains Dr Goh.

Cord blood stem cells can also be used to treat immediate family members for various diseases when the need arises. “The chance of locating a cord blood match within the family is 60-percent higher compared to a bone marrow match,” notes Dr Arvin Faundo, medical director, CordLife Philippines.

The CordLife facility at the UP-AyalaLand Technohub in Diliman is built to the world-class standards of institutes such as the American Association of Blood Banks and International Organization for Standardization. The CordLife facility uses a fully-automated cell-processing system called Sepax to perform a highly sterile and precise approach to cell separation, with cell recovery rate up to 99 percent.

For more information on CordLife and cord blood banking, visit www.cordlife.com/ph or call 710-9195.