Cord blood therapy for cerebral palsy is gaining strong scientific support, with a new review published in Pediatrics confirming its potential to improve motor function in affected children. Analyzing data from over 400 pediatric cases across eleven studies, researchers found that early treatment with cord blood—especially when combined with rehabilitation—can lead to meaningful, lasting improvements.[4][5]
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of lifelong disorders affecting movement, posture, and coordination. It’s caused by damage to the developing brain—most often before birth, though it can also occur during or shortly after.[1]
Children with CP may experience a wide range of symptoms. These include muscle stiffness or floppiness, exaggerated reflexes, difficulty with balance, and challenges with walking, speech, or eating. The severity of the condition varies widely from child to child.[1][2]
Currently, there is no cure. Treatments such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medication, and surgery focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.[3]
What Did the Research Show?
The new analysis showed that children receiving cord blood therapy for cerebral palsy in combination with rehabilitation experienced greater gains in motor skills than those receiving rehab alone. Improvements peaked between 6 and 12 months after treatment, with the greatest progress seen in children who received higher doses of cells per kilogram of body weight.[4]
This outcome supports current scientific understanding that cord blood therapy may work by reducing brain inflammation and helping repair damaged tissue. These effects can lead to better brain connectivity and motor control in children with CP.[5]
In fact, 68% of children treated with cord blood scored higher on the GMFM-66 scale—a standard tool used to assess motor function in CP—than all children in the control group. The strongest outcomes were seen in children under 5 years old who had some walking ability before the therapy.[4]
Why Early Access Matters
Cerebral palsy is typically diagnosed within the first year of life. This is significant, because the treatment appears to be most effective during early childhood—particularly before age 5. Younger children also require smaller doses of stem cells, which increases the likelihood that a single cord blood unit could be sufficient for treatment—or even multiple treatments.[4]
Despite these positive findings, cord blood therapy for CP is not yet an approved treatment in any country. It remains available only through clinical trials and special access programs, such as compassionate use or expanded access initiatives.[4]
Many of these programs require the use of autologous cord blood (the child’s own) or blood from a sibling donor. That’s why having privately stored cord blood could make all the difference when it comes to being eligible for treatment during the most critical window of opportunity.
Looking Ahead
Cerebral palsy is one of the most common motor disorders diagnosed in children, and the need for safe, effective treatments is clear. The latest research provides compelling support for cord blood therapy as a hopeful new avenue—especially for families who have stored cord blood at birth.
To find out how you can preserve this potentially life-changing resource for your child and your family, click here to download a Free Info Pack for Expecting Parents.
References
[1] Mayo Clinic (2023). Cerebral palsy – symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cerebral-palsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20353999
[2] NHS (2023). Overview – Cerebral Palsy. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cerebral-palsy/
[3] NHS (2023). Treatment – Cerebral palsy. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cerebral-palsy/treatment/
[4] Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood (2025). Cord Blood Proven Effective for Cerebral Palsy. https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/news/cord-blood-proven-effective-cerebral-palsy
[5] Finch-Edmondson, M., et al. Cord Blood Treatment for Children With Cerebral Palsy: Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis. Pediatrics 2025; e2024068999. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-068999