Medulloblastoma is a tumor in the brain that primarily affects children between 5 and 9 years of age. This type of tumor most commonly arises in the part of the brain called the cerebellum, which controls the body’s balance and coordinated movements.

Initial symptoms of medulloblastoma can include but are not limited to the following:  

• Nighttime or morning headache 
• Dizziness 
• Double vision  
• Nystagmus  
• Nausea and vomiting  
• Problems with walking/ataxia  

A medical doctor can first detect medulloblastoma with a neurological exam followed by an MRI brain scan. Treatment for medulloblastoma primarily focuses on removing the tumor to reduce pressure in the child’s skull, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Combining these three treatments increases a child’s survival rate to 70%.  

Because the cerebellum is affected by medulloblastoma, children must see a physical therapist post-treatment of the tumor. Typical impairments include decreased postural control and balance impairments which can result in difficulty with functional movements, including bed mobility, walking long distances, navigating environments, and ascending/descending stairs. Physical therapy helps the patient return to baseline levels stronger than before. As a result of physical therapy, the child begins to regain self-confidence through fun daily activities.  

In August, we honor Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) awareness month. SMA is a genetic, progressive disease that attacks and destroys lower motor neurons or nerve cells that travel from the brain to the muscles. Lower motor neurons are the neurons that control breathing, crawling, walking, and swallowing, as well as head and neck strength. Once SMA attacks the lower motor neurons, the ability to control muscle movement is lost.

Five types of SMA:

• Type 0: appears as decreased fetal movement before birth; very rare and very severe
• Type 1: appears at birth or shortly after that; common and severe
• Type 2: appears between 6 and 12 months of age; common
• Type 3: develops between ages 2 and 17 years; common
• Type 4: occurs mainly in adults between 30-50 years of age; very rare

Chromosome 5, or SMN1, is the gene that creates the protein that keeps the lower motor neurons healthy. However, a mutation to this gene causes SMA to develop. A decrease in the SMN1 protein causes the lower motor neurons to lose strength and decrease muscle activation or movement, primarily affecting the trunk, arms, and legs most severely. At the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT), children with SMA receive state-of-the-art rehabilitation services. With a generous contribution, you can help make a difference in the lives of many of our kids. Please consider donating today by clicking here.

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Sometimes, the smallest incidents have the most significant impact on our lives. For little Ikem, swallowing a grape whole changed his and his family’s lives forever.

It was an ordinary afternoon when Ikem went to the fridge to grab a snack. He grabbed some grapes and put one grape in his mouth, took a step, and quickly grabbed his throat. His mouth started turning purple.

His family rushed him to the hospital only a few minutes away. When they arrived, the doctors and nurses frantically brought all kinds of machines to save the little boy.

After a week in the intensive care unit, the doctor said, “Your boy opened his eyes, but he is not reacting as we hoped. There is no activity in his brain.”

An anoxic brain injury caused the lack of brain activity; this occurs when oxygen levels are dangerously low for four minutes or longer. It took Ikem’s family five minutes to get to the hospital.

Types of Anoxic Brain Injuries

There are four types of anoxic brain injuries. Each can cause significant brain trauma and result in loss of speech, movement, and cognitive processing. After Ikem suffered an anoxic brain injury, he could not express his feelings or thoughts, could not move his limbs, and had trouble holding his head up.

1. Anemic anoxia: Occurs when blood does not carry enough oxygen to the brain. Some forms of lung disease can cause low blood oxygen levels because the lungs cannot process oxygen properly. The brain will not receive enough oxygen to perform vital functions despite normal blood flow. Chronic anemia, acute hemorrhage, and carbon monoxide poisoning can also cause anemic anoxia.
2. Toxic anoxia: Occurs when toxins prevent efficient blood oxygen use. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common cause of toxic anoxia.
3. Stagnant anoxia: Occurs when a specific condition blocks oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain. Strokes, cardiac arrhythmia, and cardiac arrest can all cause stagnant anoxia.
4. Anoxic anoxia: Occurs when there isn’t enough oxygen in the air. Most often, this occurs at extremely high altitudes.

Symptoms of Anoxic Brain Injuries

A mild anoxic brain injury can result in problems with concentration, coordination, and short-term memory. Patients may experience headaches, light-headedness, shortness of breath, and increased perspiration.

A severe anoxic brain injury, like Ikem’s, can result in a coma or vegetative state. In a vegetative state, a patient may be able to breathe, maintain a heartbeat, blink, digest food, and urinate without assistance. A severe anoxic brain injury might occasionally cause a patient to transition between a coma and a vegetative state.

Treatment for Anoxic Brain Injuries

Treatment for anoxic brain injuries almost always involves medical rehabilitation. Many patients will work to re-learn how to communicate, move their limbs, walk, and perform essential daily functions.

Ikem’s family sought rehabilitation at CRIT, where he has grown stronger. With the help of the Lokomat (the world‘s leading robotic medical device that provides highly repetitive and the most physiological gait training), he learned how to walk independently. With the help of CRIT therapists, Ikem is learning how to become independent again.

Find Care at the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA

The Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering comprehensive rehabilitation services for children with neurological, muscular, and skeletal disabilities. Contact us today to learn how we can help your child live a healthy and happy life after a brain injury.