Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Clinic for Special Children Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used successfully to treat many medical disorders, including brain disorders in children. HBOT is approved by the FDA and acts by enhancing tissue levels of oxygen. Normally, oxygen is carried by the red blood cells alone. Under conditions of increased partial pressure of oxygen, as during HBOT therapy, there is a significant increase in the oxygen delivered to all body fluids, including plasma, intracellular fluids, lymphatic fluids and spinal fluid. This boost of oxygen delivery promotes the growth of new blood vessels, and increases metabolic activity of marginally functioning cells, including damaged brain cells. Many traditional clinical applications use pressures over 2.0 atmospheres (ATA) for treatment of decompression sickness (the bends), arterial gas embolism, carbon monoxide poisoning, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and complex regional pain syndrome. At lower pressures (1.3 - 1.5 ATA), however, clinical success has been reported in the treatment of fetal alcohol syndrome, ischemic brain injury and cerebral palsy, and closed head trauma. We call this mild HBOT. HBOT increases the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues and can even normalize oxygen levels in ischemic tissue. In rat models, HBOT has been shown to reduce the effect of hypoxia and ischemia on the neonatal brain. Mortality in closed head trauma can be reduced from 32% to 17% with the application of mild HBOT. Human studies demonstrate that HBOT causes mild vasoconstriction resulting in decreased blood flow, but at the same time causes increased oxygen delivery and oxygen pressures in target tissues. By causing mild vasoconstriction, HBOT can reduce edema in ischemic tissues. The FDA approved indications for HBOT are: Poor wound healing in a diabetic patient or other wounds with compromised vascular supply Clostridial myositis and myonecrosis (gas gangrene) Carbon monoxide poisoning with or without cyanide poisoning Decompression sickness (the bends) However, scientific evidence provides sound support for the following conditions: Chronic brain injuries, including cerebral palsy and autism Plastic surgery recovery Periodontitis Diabetic conditions that include peripheral vascular disease of the limbs Other limb injuries with poor vascular supply (crush injuries, compartment syndrome) Athletic injuries to soft tissues Enhancement in the healing of selected problem wounds Exceptional blood loss Intracranial abscess Necrotizing soft tissue infections Refractory osteomyelitis Delayed radiation injury to soft tissue and bone Skin grafts and flaps Thermal burns Near drowning Because even mild HBOT has potent anti-inflammatory effects and reduces oxidative stress, it is hypothesized to improve symptoms in autistic individuals. Multiple independent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) research studies have demonstrated hypoperfusion to several areas of the autistic brain, most notably the temporal lobes. The mechanisms of this decreased perfusion may include inflammation, and inflammation may be reversible with anti-inflammatory treatments. The oxygen delivered within mHBOT can reverse hypoxia in brain tissues caused by hypoperfusion. Post-HBOT SPECT scans demonstrate activation of dormant, ischemic neuronal areas that correlate with clinical improvements. The use of HBOT in children appears generally safe, even at pressures of 2.0 ATA, for 2 hours per day, for up to 40 sessions. The most common side effect of HBOT is uncomfortable middle ear pressure, or barotrauma, which occurs in only 2% of patients. This can be reduced by visualizing the ear drums prior to treatment, drinking water in the chamber, and releasing middle ear pressure with movement. Less common side effects include sinus squeeze, serous otitis, claustrophobia and reversible myopia. Seizures may occur infrequently in about 0.01% - 0.03% of patients. Clinic for Special Children now offers mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy to all children affected by autism and other neurological disorders amenable to such treatment in a non-profit medical setting with superior standards and expertise. You may contact our office at 251-5150 for further details. |
| 6317 Oleander Drive Suite A Wilmington, NC 28403 Email: CSC@clinicforspecialchildren.net Phone: (910) 251-5150 Fax: (910) 251-5159 Pager (910) 254-8005 |
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| Clinic for Special Children A comprehensive resource for children with developmental disorders |