Could A New Therapy Prevent Birth Injury?
A new therapy has been effective in reducing brain damage in newborn rodents after their oxygen supply was disrupted during birth, reported Medical Xpress. Typically, oxygen disruption causes severe and lifelong complications from cerebral palsy to cognitive disability, epilepsy, pulmonary hypertension, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Researchers from the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons set out to study the neuroprotective effects of omega-3 emulsions.
Previous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil will reduce inflammation and cell death caused by oxygen deprivation. However, the commercially available omega-3 supplements are oral and take weeks or months to take effect. The researchers developed an injectable version which enhances its ability to emulsify into tiny, concentrated particles. The therapy, an emulsion of two omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, was predicted to more quickly penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
The experimental emulsion reduced brain damage far more than the commercially available injectable emulsion approved for infants with intravenous nutrition-related liver disease. It was absorbed into the rodents’ bloodstream two times faster. Notably, animals treated with the new emulsion also exhibited normal motor coordination and reflexes as if there was no brain damage.
Currently, therapeutic hypothermia is the only treatment approved by the FDA for oxygen deprivation during birth. The treatment, which involves three days of cooling blankets, benefits just 15% of patients and can cause heart and respiratory issues.
The researchers hope their new emulsion will be able to be used immediately following birth injury. They plan to begin clinical trials on the new therapy with newborns in the next two years. They also plan to explore applications for other acute injuries, including spinal cord injury, heart attack, and stroke.
While many things can complicate pregnancy, some birth injuries arise solely from human error, or things that could have been prevented. Tom Duffy has recovered birth injury settlements in excess of $20,000,000. If you would like to speak with a top Philadelphia birth injury attorney in Philadelphia, contact us to learn more.