Case Study: Vision Restored by Umbilical Cord Tissue MSC

After a decade of grappling with the consequences of brain damage due to trauma during childbirth, Yuliya from Dnipro, Ukraine, found hope for her almost blind and physically challenged child, Vladomir. Traditional methods failing, she turned to stem cell therapy, collecting umbilical cord blood and tissue from her youngest child's birth. Born prematurely at 32 weeks, Vladomir's twin sister, Elizaveta, thrived, while he suffered from Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), resulting in partial optic nerve atrophy and other impairments.

HIE, caused by oxygen deprivation during birth, triggers brain damage, leading to conditions like epilepsy and optic nerve atrophy. Stem cell therapy, a promising avenue, involves the use of umbilical cord blood and tissue-derived stem cells to repair damaged tissues. Stem cell therapies have shown potential in treating HIE, with positive outcomes observed in both animal studies and human clinical trials.

Yuliya's decision to explore stem cell therapy for Vladomir led her to Hemafund, a biobank in Kyiv, Ukraine. Initially intended as a precaution for her newborn, Vladomir's cord blood and tissue proved to be a potential lifesaver. In July 2019, Vladomir received an infusion of his baby brother's cord blood, followed by a subsequent administration of umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells via multiple pathways, including intravenous, intrathecal, and retrobulbar injections.

Remarkably, Vladomir's progress following the treatment was astonishing. A year post-treatment, improvements were notable across various aspects. His EEG showed no signs of seizure activity, while his motor skills and coordination significantly improved. Most notably, his vision, previously severely impaired, saw remarkable enhancement, enabling him to read, engage in sports, and navigate his surroundings independently.

This case underscores the potential of stem cell therapy in treating conditions like HIE and optic nerve atrophy, offering hope for those facing similar challenges. Vladomir's transformative journey highlights the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy, even in adolescent patients, expanding the horizons of treatment possibilities for such conditions.

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Source: https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/news/vladomirs-story-vision-restored-umbilical-cord-tissue-msc