Doctors in Melbourne are testing an experimental procedure on pregnant women that may prevent the development of cerebral palsy.
The procedure, which proved successful in studies with lambs, attempts to provide additional oxygen to developing fetuses. A lack of oxygen is a significant factor in the development of cerebral palsy, which can cause impaired motor skills, intellect, behavior, vision and speech.
The procedure involves women pregnant with slowly developing fetuses ingesting tablets of melatonin, an antioxidant, to balance out the oxygen and nutrient levels inside the womb. Doctors hope that this will prevent the development of cerebral palsy.
This is potentially a huge breakthrough for the condition, said Euan Wallace, Southern Health director of obstetrics.
“It is significant because at the moment there is no treatment we can give women during pregnancy to protect their unborn baby’s brain,” Wallance said.
Plans are already in place for further treatments if the first round yields positive results. Wallace intends to broaden the sample to 100 women, including followup examinations of the babies at two and three years old.
This is excellent news. If these treatments can prevent just a few cases of cerebral palsy, it will be well worth all the time and effort.
Cappolino, Dodd, Krebs LLP – cerebral palsy lawyers
