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Superglue-Inspired Treatment Can Save Babies’ Lives

An experimental new superglue-like substance can save the lives of infants with a rare disorder.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on December 03 2009
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Superglue can be great for fixing chipped dinnerware, reattaching the sole of a shoe, or even helping to set broken bones. But now, the sticky substance has an even greater purpose: according to the Scotsman, it can be used as a life-saving treatment for an otherwise deadly condition in newborns called Vein of Galen malformation.

Vein of Galen malformation is a rare condition in which the arteries and veins in the brain are not connected by capillaries as they should be, making the blood rush much faster than it should. Typically, the disorder leads to heart failure or hydrocephalus (water on the brain), causing death within a matter of days. 

But a new treatment involving a superglue-like adhesive called Histoacryl, which is injected through a catheter and builds a blockage in the affected part of the brain provides hope for many such children.

Neuro-radiologist Dr. Stefan Brew of Great Ormond Street Hospital in London has performed the sticky procedure at least 50 times. ‘‘It’s very satisfying work,” he said.
‘‘The children go from looking like they were about to die, often overnight, to looking very well.’’

The novel treatment isn’t always successful, but the mortality rate after the procedure is reduced by approximately 90 percent, and at least 60 percent of the babies who have the procedure are likely to live normal lives.

Catrin Evans’ son Dafi is just one of the doctor’s success stories. The child was born with Vein of Galen malformation, and given just days to live. But after Evans consented to the experimental procedure, her son made a full recovery. Though he has needed some further treatments, Dafi is now a fun-loving and active 16-month-old.

“I look at Dafi now and I can’t believe it,” Evans said.

Filed under: Health and Wellbeing, Science, Weird,

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