Neurologist: Boy still in coma, but 'definitely improved' (using cutting-edge treatments & vitamins)

NorthJersey.com ^ | 07.16.06 | MARGARET K. COLLINS

[Coleus]

A neurologist from Washington, D.C., an autonomic nervous system specialist from Philadelphia and a neuron-psychologist and psycho-pharmacologist -- both from Manhattan -- have spent a lot of time with Steven Domalewski lately.  They, and others, have been at his bedside in a Paterson hospital, using cutting-edge treatments while trying to bring the 12-year-old pitcher out of a coma.

"He's progressing at a really good rate," Dr. Philip De Fina said Friday. "He has definitely improved. His alertness has improved. His dad has been feeding him little bits of Italian ice, and he's breathing very well on his own."  De Fina is head of the Manhattan-based International Brain Research Foundation. He and 10 doctors have swooped in to treat Steven -- for free. Other specialists have also helped. Their goal, they say, is to restore the boy's brain functions to a point where he can walk and talk.

Steven was pitching in a Wayne Police Athletic League game June 6 when a batter lined a ball into his chest at the exact millisecond between heartbeats. The impact caused an extremely rare condition called commotio cordis in which the heart stops. That deprived Steven of oxygen for an undetermined amount of time, causing damage to his brain. He remains at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Paterson in what doctors call a "very light coma."

Steven's case came to the attention of De Fina, a neuron-psychologist from Chester Township in Morris County, through his 15-year-old daughter.  "I had left a newspaper on the table because there was a story in it about me," De Fina said. "Next to it was a story about Steven and she said, 'Hey Dad,' did you see this?' " De Fina started the foundation about a year ago with six other doctors after receiving a $2 million donation from a patient some of the doctors had brought out of a coma.

Since then, the foundation has worked intensely with three coma patients including Steven -- the youngest by far -- and has worked to develop treatments for coma, Alzheimer's, autism and Parkinson's. Its hub is New York University's Brain Research Laboratories and Bellevue Hospital, but more than 100 neuroscientists and clinicians worldwide work for the foundation.

FAST FACTS

Medical experts from the Manhattan-based International Brain Research Foundation treat Wayne youngster Steven Domalewski weekly. They include Philip De Fina, Elkhonon Goldberg, Sandlin Lowe, Roy John, Leslie Prichep, Jane Halper, Peter Bernad, Joseph Columbo and Sandra Maiorano. Their groundbreaking treatments for coma, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and autism include:

• Computerized brain imaging.
• Unique combinations of FDA-approved medications and nutritional supplements such as vitamin B.
• Low-level nerve stimulation to increase the flow of oxygen to the brain.

  For more information: www.ibrfinc.org

[Coleus]

Poor kid, I hope he pulls through with no brain damage. His parents and doctors are doing an amazing job. Even A-Rod from the Yankees gave the family a call.  It pays to know CPR, it kept Steven alive.   I read somewhere else that this institute also helped the lone sago mine survivor.

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[FairOpinion]

PING

[Tired of Taxes]

These stories always worry me. One of our sons loves to play baseball and his passion is pitching.

[Coleus]

It's very rare. It could happen while playing soccer and in Karate class too. I wonder if all the soccer moms will now work to outlaw soccer. In NJ they already want to outlaw aluminum bats; I'm not sure what they do in other states about the bats.

Commotio cordis is a very rare event, but nonetheless it is the second leading cause of sudden death in young athletes, predominantly male. Some of the sports which have a risk for this cause of trauma are baseball, soccer, ice hockey, polo, rugby, cricket, softball, pelota, fencing, lacrosse, boxing, karate, kung fu and other martial arts. Children are especially vulnerable due to their more fragile thoracic skeleton. The USA Commotio Cordis Registry had more than 130 cases recorded by September 2001, with most of the cases occurring in Little League baseball, lacrosse and softball. The real number of cases may be much larger.

[beezdotcom]

bump for young pitchers...

[Tired of Taxes]

Thanks for the info. A relative's son (about 12 at the time) was hit with a baseball and knocked out during a game a couple years ago. They rushed him to the hospital; luckily, he had only passed out and awakened fine.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Prayers for a speedy and full recovery.

[8mmMauser]

Pinged from Terri JULY Dailies

8mm

[PGalt]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

A line shot to the chest glancing off his glove happened to my 3rd baseman in a tournament about 15 years ago. He collapsed to the ground immediately, but never lost consciousness. An RN was in the stands and came to assist. He got back up after about a minute or so and we took him out of the game (it was the final game on a Sunday afternoon). He never went to the doctor, and later that year we went on to win a state championship. He and his wife had their first child recently.

A game of inches, a life of heartbeats.

[Diago]

Why can't these leagues continue to use the softer baseballs that are used in T-Ball leagues? The aluminum bats save money because they last longer (although I know 9 y/o's with $250 bats) but why do kids 9 thru 13 need to use real baseballs?

[cpforlife.org]

Pro-Life PING

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[Salvation]

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[tortoise]

The aluminum bats save money because they last longer (although I know 9 y/o's with $250 bats) but why do kids 9 thru 13 need to use real baseballs?

Because anything else would be completely useless for developing baseball skills? Bloody hell, baseball isn't that dangerous; children deal with hundreds of other activities that represent a far greater danger than using real baseballs. And I say that as someone who once did get tagged hard in the head at close range playing the game at that age with a standard baseball off an aluminum bat.

Let's not neuter the kids before their time -- the real world isn't safe and people will get hurt. It is beneficial, especially for boys, to play at games where there is some risk of physical injury; the occasional nasty injury teaches a lot of valuable lessons even to those not injured. I'm not that old, but I did not even realize they had "child-safe" baseballs. I never saw such a thing when I was growing up, nor was it needed.