Summary
| Diagnosis | Sex | Age | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ataxia | Male | 11 years | Australia |
| Injections | Cell type | Admission date | Discharge date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | UCMSC | July 29th 2023 | August 20th 2023 |
Medical history
The patient, a young male born in 2012, in Australia, has been diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FRDA), a type of ataxia. The patient’s medical journey began when he exhibited signs of clumsiness at the age of six, which progressively worsened over time. His initial diagnosis revealed visible ataxia, characterized by foot drop, decreased heel strike bilaterally, high arches in his feet, and scoliosis. As the condition advanced, the patient experienced weakness in the lower limbs, requiring assistance for balancing activities and tandem walking. He now relies on a walker for mobility due to increasing leg pain and fatigue. Additionally, he faces challenges in speech articulation, handwriting, and everyday tasks, impacting his social interactions and academic performance. Despite ongoing therapies and assistive aids, the patient’s condition has continued to deteriorate, prompting involvement with the National Disability Insurance Scheme for support.
Condition On Admission
he patient struggles with walking without support and experiences weakness in his legs, necessitating the use of a walker for mobility. His speech is gradually deteriorating, affecting his ability to engage in conversations coherently. The patient’s handwriting skills are significantly below average for his age group, and he encounters difficulties in holding pencils and cutlery for extended periods. Moreover, he exhibits mild nystagmus, intention tremor, and dysmetria in his upper limbs. His condition has led to limitations in daily activities, school tasks, and social interactions. Despite interventions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and regular medical consultations, his functional capacity continues to decline, emphasizing the need for ongoing support and management to enhance his quality of life.
Treatment Schedule
Patient received 8 packs of umbilical cord derived stem cell (UCMSC) by intravenous (IV) injection and intrathecal injection via lumbar puncture (LP), as per the schedule below:
| Number | Date | Cell Type | Delivery Method | Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-08-01 | UCMSC | Intrathecal Injection & Intravenous Injection | none reported |
| 2 | 2023-08-07 | UCMSC | Intrathecal Injection | none reported |
| 3 | 2023-08-10 | UCMSC | Intrathecal Injection & Intravenous Injection | none reported |
| 4 | 2023-08-14 | UCMSC | Intrathecal Injection | none reported |
| 5 | 2023-08-17 | UCMSC | Intrathecal Injection & Intravenous Injection | none reported |
Condition at discharge
After treatment, there have been general physical condition improvements, with small improvements in balance to stand noted. The patient experiences moderate chest pain, and improvements in balance, control of movement, and coordination have been observed. Significant improvement is seen in fatigue, low mood or anxiety, and muscle stiffness, while small improvements are noted in fine hand movements and swallowing. Moderate improvement is observed in walking ability. The patient continues to make improvements, although the doctor hasn’t confirmed them. The parents are satisfied with the treatment outcome and no additional treatment has been administered post-stem cell treatment.
| Symptom | Parents’ Assessment of Improvement |
|---|---|
| Balance | Small improvement |
| Control of movement | Moderate improvement |
| Coordination | Small improvement |
| Fatigue | Significant improvement |
| Low mood or anxiety | Significant improvement |
| Muscle stiffness | Significant improvement |
| Swallowing | Moderate improvement |
| Walking | Moderate improvement |
| Fine hand movements | Small improvement |
Condition 1 month after treatment
The patient’s overall physical condition has notably improved, with increased strength and appetite. There has been a significant improvement in the patient’s quality of life, although the doctor hasn’t confirmed these improvements. Despite no additional treatment post-stem cell therapy, the patient’s general symptoms have seen positive changes. Specifically, there has been a remarkable improvement in balance, coordination, control of movement, fine hand movements, low mood or anxiety, swallowing, and walking ability. The patient now exhibits better balance, can walk unaided for short distances, and can stand from a sitting position unaided, indicating a substantial enhancement in mobility and independence.
| Symptom | Parents’ Assessment of Improvement |
|---|---|
| Balance | Significant improvement |
| Control of movement | Significant improvement |
| Coordination | Significant improvement |
| Fatigue | Significant improvement |
| Fine hand movements | Significant improvement |
| Low mood or anxiety | Significant improvement |
| Swallowing | Significant improvement |
| Walking | Significant improvement |
Condition 3 months after treatment
Three months after the treatment the patient has experienced significant improvements in his overall physical condition, with notable reductions in fatigue levels. Regular exercise has helped maintain muscle tone and strengthen the core, contributing to the patient’s improved quality of life. Despite the absence of confirmation from the doctor, the patient and his caregivers are satisfied with the treatment outcome and continue to observe ongoing improvements. Three months post-treatment, the patient’s balance and coordination have seen moderate to significant improvements, along with significant enhancements in control of movement, fine hand movements, low mood or anxiety, and muscle stiffness. Walking ability has also significantly improved, allowing the patient to stand up and transfer with increased independence, although some assistance is still required.
| Symptom | Parents’ Assessment of Improvement |
|---|---|
| Balance | Moderate improvement |
| Control of movement | Moderate improvement |
| Coordination | Significant improvement |
| Fatigue | Significant improvement |
| Fine hand movements | Significant improvement |
| Low mood or anxiety | Significant improvement |
| Muscle stiffness | Significant improvement |
| Walking | Significant improvement |
