Breakthrough in Treatment of Cerebral Palsy & Other Neuromuscular Disorders

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich., Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Thirteen children diagnosed with neuromuscular issues ranging from severe hypotonia to athetoid cerebral palsy/dystonia are experiencing "dramatic improvement" thanks to a new protocol being advocated by the Preemie Growth Project.

Executive Director and Founder Ida Briggs reports the breakthrough treatment was initially discovered last year when a 9-month old severely hypotonic boy diagnosed with cerebral palsy went from twelve pounds to twenty-two in under ten weeks, and then took his first steps while using the Preemie Growth Project "preemie protocol."  This year a 9-year old girl, born at 26 weeks weighing 1 pound, 11 ounces, diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy had "dramatic improvement" which included healthy weight gain, increased strength and hyperspastic hands becoming normal, among other improvements.  Additional patients were recruited, with similar results.

The protocol uses micronutrient supplementation, relying on the "Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition," edited by Dr. Stefano Guandalini , for the explanation of the protocol's efficacy.  The key passage, per Ms. Briggs, is on page 631:

"The infant born prematurely is at increased risk for developing trace mineral deficiencies. Premature birth is associated with low stores at birth, because accretion of trace minerals takes place during the last trimester of pregnancy."

Ms. Briggs says the quote helped everything fall into place.

"Premature babies traditionally catch up between one and two years of age, which coincides with when babies begin to eat real food, which contains the micronutrients they didn't get because they were born prematurely," she explains.

Micronutrient supplementation has been used by neonatologists for well over a decade, but Ms. Briggs is confident she knows why the same dramatic results aren't being seen in the NICU.

"They are only giving it INTRAVENOUSLY," she explains. "The micronutrients have to be given ORALLY."

The changes have been dramatic, and in some cases, life altering.

Five year old Colin West , diagnosed with Mild Cerebral Palsy, had hyperspasticity in his legs causing him to walk on his toes and be in pain when he was touched.  Prior to his participation, his left ankle range of motion was measured at "-10" and his right at "-15"; after six weeks in the Project his mother, Omana West , was stunned to learn the range of motion for his left ankle was "normal", while his right ankle was at "-10."

Ms. West says, "this has changed my son's life. His physical strength, energy, movement, food intake, weight gain, and cognitive changes have significantly improved. We are very excited about this new little person. We have started to secure the home, as he is getting into trouble, and now moving faster than before. A very exciting change, for us and my son!"

Amy Simko 's five year old son Hayden was diagnosed with hypotonia and sensory processing disorder.  He has been in physical therapy since he was three years old, and prior to his participation in the Preemie Growth Project protocol, was reporting a strength of "less than 3.5" on the standard 1-5 range Manual Muscle Test used by professionals where "5" is normal.  After six weeks in the Project, he was measured at "greater than 4.5" and at eight weeks was formally released from therapy as he had achieved all appropriate goals.  In real world terms, this meant he went from "requiring assistance climbing up and down a flight of stairs" to eight weeks later "climbing monkey bars and running down hills."

Ms. Simko says, "Hayden has shown tremendous progress in a very short time in the areas of gross motor skills, fine motor skills, emotional maturity, focus and cognitive processing abilities. Our son's physical and occupational therapists are amazed at the sudden and drastic improvements in our son."

Ms. Simko, like several other parents in the Project, has also reported improvement in her son's sensory processing issues.

Melissa Jenkins , mother of seven year old Dakota, diagnosed with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy and Dystonia, is also enthusiastic. "Dakota gained three pounds in three weeks after having been on the supplement for a little over a month. This rate of weight gain is unparalleled for Dakota. He has never gained more than one to five pounds per YEAR previously.  I have definitely noticed Dakota's legs grip stronger than they used to when we carry him to and from his chair. When we lift him (he is a quadriplegic) he squeezes our arms with his legs hard enough to bruise them. This didn't happen before!"

Ms. Jenkins is also able to report, "Dakota lifted his head from a prone and near prone position! He lifted it slightly from prone, and then after I propped him up on his elbows, he lifted it full up!"

Dr. Eileen Donovan , Medical Director at the Detroit Institute for Children in Detroit, Michigan, has also been monitoring several of her patients who are participating in the Project.  "It's very exciting that the supplement shows so much promise to improve strength and function for children with a variety of conditions. There is minimal cost, virtually no side effects, and lots of potential for improvement. Although it is early in the game, every single patient of mine who has tried the supplement has shown improvement."

Factors affecting the speed of improvement appear to be gestational age at birth, weight at birth, mother's nutritional status before and during pregnancy, age at which the intervention takes place, weight at which the intervention takes place, and other outstanding health factors.

"This investigation is still in its very early stages," cautions Ms. Briggs.  "Nevertheless, we are very optimistic about what we are seeing."

For more information about the Preemie Growth Project, please visit us on the web at www.preemiegrowthproject.org or follow us on Facebook.

Press release submitted by online press release distribution service Submitpressrelease123.com

Media Contact: Ida Briggs The Preemie Growth Project, 248-973-7199, idabriggs@yahoo.com

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SOURCE The Preemie Growth Project