Doctor: Boy Still in Coma, But 'Definitely Improved'

Sunday, July 16, 2006
By MARGARET K. COLLINS , Staff Writer

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 DeFina 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.”

DeFina 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 DeFina, 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,” DeFina said. “Next to it was a story about Steven and she said, 'Hey Dad,' did you see this?' ” DeFina 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 DeFina, Elkhonon Goldberg, Sandlin Lowe, Roy John, Leslie Prichep, James 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.

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