Australian First - 6 year old, Zara, becomes first child with cerebral palsy to be treated with her own cord blood in Australia
Cord blood research may unlock future treatments for cerebral palsy
What happened?
In a ground-breaking step for Australian healthcare, six-year-old Zara has become the first child in the country to receive an infusion of her own umbilical cord blood as part of her treatment for cerebral palsy.
While this therapy is not yet approved as a standard treatment for cerebral palsy anywhere in the world, Zara was granted compassionate access under the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) Special Access Scheme. The treatment was delivered at Melbourne’s Monash Children’s Hospital in April, with the support of Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Cell Care, and Hudson Institute of Medical Research.
Global research has found that cord blood treatment can help repair a brain injury and support improvements in gross motor skills for some children with cerebral palsy. Zara’s medical team is optimistic that, when combined with ongoing rehabilitation, this treatment could enhance her movement, communication, and ability to engage with others.
Associate Professor Michael Fahey, Zara’s treating Paediatric Neurologist had this to say:
"The stars aligned for Zara. She had cord blood stored at birth and had a good dose available; she was the right level of cerebral palsy - she was still walking; her parents were very keen to have this treatment; and she was young enough that we could infuse the cells and know that she would get the maximum benefit." - Associate Professor Michael Fahey, Zara’s treating Paediatric Neurologist, Head of Paediatric Neurology, Monash Children’s Hospital
Why this type of treatment?
Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in children, with one child diagnosed every 20 hours in Australia. It is caused by damage to the developing brain and the cord blood infusion works by dampening inflammation and encouraging the brain to begin healing itself.
So far, thirteen children in Australia have received cord blood infusions for cerebral palsy. Twelve of these children participated in a Phase 1 clinical trial using cord blood from a sibling. Zara is the first child in Australia to be treated with her own cord blood, and the first to receive the therapy outside of a clinical trial setting.
According to Cerebral Palsy Alliance, hundreds of Australian families have travelled overseas to access cord blood therapy privately, due to the limited availability of this treatment option locally.
How did the cord blood infusion happen?
It took a year to plan and obtain approvals for Zara's infusion, coordinating the treatment between Monash Children’s Hospital, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Cell Care.
Zara's family made the important decision to store her umbilical cord blood at birth with Cell Care - a decision that paved the way for this novel treatment to become a reality. Cell Care arranged the transfer of Zara's umbilical cord blood stem cells to Hudson Cell Therapies in the Monash Medical Precinct, where the team in the lab processed the cells and prepared her infusion. On the day of her treatment, the cord blood was hand-delivered from the lab to specialist nurses at Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre for infusion.
After preparation, the cord blood was delivered via a drip in Zara’s arm, much like a regular blood transfusion. During the 30-minute infusion, Zara was engaged in play therapy and accompanied by her parents, Fiona and Michelle, and younger sister, Tilly.
What's Next?
The infusion was completed safely, and Zara's progress will continue to be monitored as part of her standard clinical care. Although it can take several months to see any improvements after treatment, Zara's mum, Michelle, shared an encouraging early update:
"While it’s still early days, we already think we are seeing improvements in Zara’s movement and balance. As her parents, we know that we can't cure her cerebral palsy, but like most parents, we wanted to do anything we could to make her life even just a tiny bit easier." - Michelle, Zara's mum
Whilst cord blood treatment may not be suitable for every child diagnosed with cerebral palsy, researchers hope the case will serve as a stepping-stone towards establishing more research, as well as access options for children with cerebral palsy to receive cord blood in Australia. Funding for a large-scale trial is yet to be secured.
This is no longer just promising science in the making - the science is here but the real barrier is access. Cerebral Palsy Alliance is stepping up to lead this change.
By choosing to store your baby’s stem cells with Cell Care, along with families of over 50,000 other babies, you’re in a unique position to help. We encourage you to lend your voice to support access to cord blood treatment for cerebral palsy in Australia by visiting Cerebral Palsy Alliance's website to sign up for updates and share your support in accessing cord blood therapy.
More Information
If you have a child with cerebral palsy and are pregnant, you may be eligible for Cell Care’s free Cerebral Palsy Cord Blood Collection Program.
Contact Cell Care for more information via email: info@cellcare.com.au or
phone: 1800 071 075.