Stem cell therapy was recently used to treat a 4-year old with cerebral palsy and cortical visual impairment.

Thermishaa Soman, was born in December 2013, as a normal full term baby. When she was 11 months old, her mother noticed that she was not as active as the other children of her age would be. At the specified age, Thermishaa was not hitting any milestones, which obviously was a matter of concern for her parents.

The baby was then evaluated by an early developmental team, where she was considered to be slightly behind the norm. Her doctors later prescribed her for MRI and CT scan; and the reports declared that Thermishaa had a slight neuronal damage at the time of her birth and had been suffering Cortical Visual Impairment.

Thermishaa was referred to various rehab programmes like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and so on by her pediatrician in order to motivate her to be little independent. However,the child's mother, did not find any improvement, in her motor or interactive skills. While searching for alternative ways, which could be helpful for her daughter to gain a bit of independence in her day-to-day routine, the mother came across stem cell therapy and how stem cells can be helpful in reversing brain damage.

With more research, the family found Advancells, a specialized centre for cell based therapy. The treatment went very well and the family was overwhelmed with the positive response and support the child received. Before stem cell therapy, Thermishaa was not able to move her hands, legs, or fingers. In fact, her fingers were clenched into her fist; but, post Stem Cell Therapy, she was able to open her hands more widely and she was trying to sit on her own.

The child's muscles were observed to be more relaxed and her visual ability also improved, as she started to look around more than usual, post stem cell therapy. The mother has recommended this treatment to children with special needs ever since her child experienced remarkable improvement in her condition after stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy.