Due to advancement in cord stem cell banking, expectant parents have been able to ensure a better tomorrow for their child. Blood in a newborn’s umbilical cord contains different types of stem cells. One type is hematopoietic cells that can be used for treating patients with blood disorders, immune-deficiencies and other diseases.
Treatment for Variety of Diseases
Cells obtained from
umbilical cord blood
are more effective for transplant than the cells found in bone marrow. They can be easily collected and are genetically unique to each individual. Stem cells have been found to be effective in the treatment of various diseases, including, inherited red-blood-cell abnormalities, bone marrow cancers, leukemia, neuroblastoma and lymphomas. Clinical trials are underway to find out if these can also be used for treating diseases such as cerebral palsy, autism, diabetes and heart disorders.Cells stored at an umbilical cord stem cell bank can remain viable for more than 20 years. However, scientists believe that with proper freezing, these cells can also be preserved for decades or even indefinitely.
Public or Private Banking
Apart from private banking of your baby’s stem cells, you can also opt for public banking. Cord blood cells in a public bank can be stored for use by anyone who needs it for a transplant. It can also be used for medical research. If you plan on donating your baby’s stem cells to a public bank, there is no guarantee the cells will be later available for your family if a need arises in future. There is no fee associated with public donation of the cells. Such banks pay for the collection and storage of the umbilical cord blood.
Medical experts are of view that one day adults suffering from cancer will be able to get treated from their own cord blood cells that were collected at birth. Research is being conducted to find out if these cells can be used for treating cancers that aren’t based genetically. If ongoing clinical trials become successful, within a few years, therapies involving cord blood cells will become commonly available for patients.
