A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy could be able to hug his family for the first time after receiving a stem cell transplant from his baby brother.

 

 

 

Jay Shetty is severely disabled after suffering brain damage shortly after birth.

 

He has never been able to play with brother Kairav, or hug his mother Shilpa or father Raj, 36, an accountant, of Wimbledon, south London.

 

Now he is set to receive stem cells from Kairav which could improve all his symptoms, including severe sight loss.

 

The pioneering treatment, being carried out at Dukes University, North Carolina, will be one of the first in the world using blood stem cells from a sibling’s umbilical cord.

 

It is 10 years since the first child received an infusion of his own cord blood stem cells to treat cerebral palsy.

 

In one case, 40 patients who were blind or had poor vision were treated.

 

Twenty-seven gained normal vision and all but one of the rest had significant to moderate improvement in their sight.

 

In these cases the stem cells came from the patients themselves. However, they need to be harvested shortly after birth and in Jay’s case this was not done.

 

Jay needs daily treatment which involves massaging his muscles to prevent spasticity.

 

Kairav did have stem cells taken and these are the ones which will be transplanted.

 

Jewellery specialist Shilpa, 39, said: “We’re delighted Jay has been accepted for this study.

"We feel so bad for Jay and other children with brain damage.

 

"We just want him to have an independent life as much as possible. I am confident this can help him.”

 

Kairav’s stem cells are being tested to see if they are a match for Jay. The family have been told there is a 25 per cent chance the match could be 100 per cent.

 

Even if it is not, it is believed the infusion of cells could lessen Jay’s symptoms, which would mean he may be able to walk and talk, which Shilpa said “would be just wonderful”.

 

Jay needs daily treatment which involves massaging his muscles to prevent spasticity.

 

Several times a year the family take him to a medical rehabilitation centre in Poland where he receives a fortnight’s intensive physiotherapy.

 

Shilpa added: “Like any mother I will do everything possible to make life better for my son.

"I am determined to find the money to pay for the cost of these therapies. How can I not when it potentially means a better life for him?”

 

Professor Victor Dzau, of Dukes University, said: "This study could potentially improve the quality of life for millions of children and adults.”

 

 

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/678978/Stem-cell-transplant-boy-hope

 

LFLN REF: 15072016, p. 93-95