Evaluating Wharton's jelly-derived stem cell therapy in autism: Insights from a case study.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder affecting over 2% of the global population, marked by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. Kabatas et al explored the efficacy and safety of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell (WJ-MSC) therapy in a 4-year-old child with ASD. Using the childhood autism rating scale and Denver II developmental screening test, significant improvements were seen after six WJ-MSC sessions, with no adverse events over 2 years. Despite promising results, the study's single-case design limits generalizability. Larger, multi-center trials are needed to validate the findings and assess long-term effects of WJ-MSC therapy in ASD.