Breakthrough Cord Blood Infusion Reverses Cerebral Palsy in Chloe Levine

Cord blood cells are taken at birth, before the infant is exposed to any environmental factors. It is also advantageous because the cells are younger and smarter. Once the cord blood is re-infused into the person, the cells migrate to wherever the person is injured and immediately go to work to help repair any damaged cells or tissue.

The umbilical cord blood collection process is simple and painless for the infant. A syringe is placed in the umbilical cord that runs from mother to infant. The blood is then sent to whatever blood bank the parent has opted to use. Sadly, the collection and storage cost is still out of reach for many families.

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Chloe Levine was lucky that her parents were able to store her cord blood. See her story here. At about 9-months-old, her parents noted that Chloe was not reaching normal milestones for her age group. Chloe was not crawling or holding objects. She also held her right hand in a tightly clenched fist.  By the time Chloe turned one, her parents found out that Chloe had suffered an in utero stroke that resulted in cerebral palsy (CP.) 

Chloe’s parents were devastated to learn that there is no cure or treatment for CP. The treatment regiment is aimed primarily at speech, physical,  and occupational therapy. However, this was not suffice for the Levine family. They were determined to find something to help Chloe. They remembered that they had banked Chloes’ umbilical cord blood and sought out some use for it. They found Dr. Joanne Kutzberg, a professor of pediatrics and pathology at Duke University. Dr. Kutzberg just so happened to be conducting a study with CP children and cord blood cells.

Chloe was 2-years-old when she was infused with her own stem cells from cord blood. The doctors warned the Levine family that the best case scenario was some sign of improvement within six months to a year. However, it only took dour days for Chloe to have a noticeable difference.  Over time, Chloe’s rigidity loosened, her speech developed, and she was able to accomplish gross and fine motor skills.

Chloe is now riding a bike! I pray the Chloe has lasting effects from her cold blood stem cells.

In most cases there is only enough cord blood stored for one infusion. It is undetermined how long the improvements will last, but researchers have good cause to believe that the improvements obtained from the one cord blood stem cell infusion could be permanent.

Now, if we can just find someway to make cord blood banking affordable to low and middle income families! According to the American Pregnancy Association, “The initial fee will range from $900 to $2100 depending on the predetermined period of storage. Annual storage fees beyond the initial storage fee are approximately $100.”