Date: September 6, 2011By: Atlanta Cerebral Palsy Lawyers

The Georgia Health Sciences University is running a clinical trial to determine whether cord blood, which remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth, is a safe way to ease cerebral palsy symptoms, according to The Augusta Chronicle. The trial launched last year, and a similar clinical study has since commenced at Duke University. These clinical studies followed on the heels of animal research which found that adult-type stem cells can help improve the course of a brain injury. 

Only a small percentage of children qualify for the study taking place at the Georgia Health Sciences University. Six children have begun the trial, which started approximately 18 months ago. Many parents who were interested in placing their child in the study were ineligible because they did not have the child’s cord blood or attempted to use a sister or brother’s cord blood. Reportedly, the number of children who meet the criteria for the study may be hampered by an American Academy of Pediatrics stance against privately banking a child’s cord blood. 

The Georgia study looks to make progress in the treatment of cerebral palsy, a type of birth injury that can affect movement, seeing, thinking, hearing and learning. Reportedly, 8,000 children are born each year with cerebral palsy, a condition which has no cure, and in some cases could have been prevented. While some instances of cerebral palsy are due to hereditary conditions or unforeseen labor complications, many result from medical errors, such as improper use of vacuums, failure to perform a timely C-section or other mistakes which ultimately lead to oxygen deficiency or trauma to the brain. 

If your child was born with cerebral palsy in Georgia, our Atlanta birth injury attorneys can determine if your doctor was negligent during labor and delivery, and if so, pursue compensation from them for any resulting damages. While filing a birth injury lawsuit cannot erase a diagnosis, it can help families deal with the economic impact of caring for a child with cerebral palsy, a condition for which the average lifetime cost is estimated to be more than $920,000. To find out if you are eligible for a Georgia birth injury lawsuit, contact our attorneys today by completing our free case review form for a no obligation evaluation of your claim.    

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Keywords: cerebral palsy treatment, cerebral palsy lawyer