Functional and Symptomatic Improvement after Cellular Therapy in a Pediatric Case of Chronic Traumatic Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) in the pediatric population is a rare incidence and has devastating consequences. Cellular transplantation is one of the emerging strategies in the treatment of SCI. Here, we present a case report of an 8-year-old female who sustained traumatic incomplete SCI at the level of D10-D11 four years ago. Two years after the accident, she underwent 2 doses of cell transplantation with autologous bone marrow mononuclear stem cells (BMMNCs) administered intrathecally (injection into the sub-arachnoid space), followed by intensive neuro- rehabilitation. Over the span of 18 months' post -cellular therapy, there was improvement in the functional status with FIM (Functional Independence Measure) score improving from 108 to 113. She improved in transfer mobility, static and dynamic balance in sitting and standing positions, ambulation and activities of daily living (ADLs). The bowel and bladder control improvement was significant. There was a shift from A to B on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale. Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) score increased from 73 to 96 after the two cellular therapies. No adverse events related to the transplantation procedure were observed. This case is a “proof of concept study” based on the fact that transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells along with rehabilitation may augment the recovery processes in patients with chronic traumatic spinal cord injuries. Further, randomized controlled clinical studies are warranted to prove it's the therapeutic efficiency.