Vinmec performs first stem-cell therapy for one-year-old baby
Specialists at Vinmec International Hospital in Hanoi have performed stem-cell therapy on a one-year-old baby boy to try and overcome the effects of cerebral palsy (brain paralysis).
The operation, which already appears to be working, was the first of its kind performed in Vietnam. Doctors will continue the therapy, until, hopefully, the infant starts to recover.
The boy, simply known as Bui Duy, has been suffering from the ailment since he was 10 months' old. The symptoms of the ailment are mainly a lack of body movement.
Cerebral palsy is neither genetic nor an infectious disease and thus is not contagious. Most cases arise at or about the time of birth.
The baby was first treated for sepsis (blood poisoning), which was accompanied by diarrhoea, high fever and convulsions. Doctors thought that the boy might never recover.
The blood poisoning left him with a brain starved of oxygen, which caused body stiffening, breathing difficulties, problems in eating and sleeping as well as communicating - in other words, cerebral palsy.
"The doctors said that my son was too young for acupuncture or traditional medicine, the usual forms of treatment in Vietnam. Stem-cell therapy became his last hope for recovery," said Tuan, the baby's father.
The boy received his first injection of stem cells on March 21.
Nguyen Thanh Liem, Vinmec Hospital Director, said that the stem cells came from the baby's bone marrow. They were injected into his blood and spinal cord to replace or support the injured brain tissue.
Four days after the injection, Bui Duy still had muscle contractions, but they were less serious and frequent. He is scheduled to have a second injection of bone-marrow cells on March 28.
Stem-cell therapy has been widely used in many countries to treat cerebral palsy. Researches in the United States and Europe said that 60-70% of those treated showed improvements in mobility and linguistic capabilities.
Following the stem cell breakthrough in treating diseases, the Vinmec hospital is underway preparing to treat another once incurable brain ailment, autism, which often leave children unable to communicate properly.
According to Liem, clinical trials of stem cell therapy on children with autism have been conducted in America, India and China. Results show that up to 70% showed varying degrees of recovery. This is considered promising as many as 200,000 Vietnamese children suffer from autism.
The cost of stem-cell treatment ranges from VND120-150 million (US$5,800-7,200).
07:12, 2024/11/12
2024 International Youth Festival attracts 3,000 local and international youth
The 2024 International Youth Festival helped Hanoi’s youth connect and promote the city's culture and tourism to international friends.
21:50, 2024/11/11
Hanoi launches pilot project to integrate electronic health records into VNeID app
The system allows citizens to conveniently manage their medical histories and provides medical professionals with up-to-date information anytime, anywhere.
19:23, 2024/11/07
Empowering new generation of biodiversity champions in Vietnam
These EU-supported events provide a platform to showcase successful sustainability initiatives and inspire additional green actions.
18:52, 2024/11/04
Capital Law to make Hanoi major center for quality education
Hanoi is a hub for talent from all over the country.
16:29, 2024/11/01
Hanoi raises road safety awareness among students
The Hanoi authorities have stepped up communication to heighten the sense of responsibility of families and schools in maintaining road safety.
14:55, 2024/10/21
Hanoi pilots artificial intelligence in five schools
From kindergarten to high school, the project aims to boost digital transformation in Hanoi's education system.