Safety and feasibility of autologous umbilical cord blood transfusion in 2 toddlers with cerebral palsy and the role of low dose granulocyte-colony stimulating factor injections.

PURPOSE Cerebral palsy (CP) with a prevalence of 2.1 per 1,000 live births generates variable degrees of incurable developmental disability. The aim of the present report was to provide insight in the safety and feasibility of autologous umbilical cord blood (UCB) transfusion with low dose Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) injections in improving the functional outcome of children with cerebral palsy. METHODS Two toddlers with diagnosed CP were given autologous umbilical cord blood (UCB) transfusion accompanied by low dose subcutaneous granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) injections. RESULTS Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) improvements were seen in both without any side effects being noted to date. CONCLUSION In this first report, autologous UCB based intervention in tandem with low dose sc G-CSF administration seems to be feasible and safe with encouraging functional outcome improvements in children with CP.