Showing posts with label stem cell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stem cell. Show all posts

Monday 14 July 2014

Top Reasons Expecting Parents Choose Umbilical Cord Blood Preservation

Evolving stem cell therapies have brought new hope to patients and their families. By preserving the cells in a stem cell umbilical cord bank, families can get immediate access to a related source of stem cells.

Parents with a family history of diseases must opt for their child’s umbilical cord blood preservation. If stored in the right manner, newborn stem cells don’t expire. However, stored cord blood has certain potential limitation. If the baby has a genetic condition, the stored cells will also have that condition. This often rule out their use for the baby. But in case an immediate family member is suffering from a disease requiring a bone marrow transplant, the newborn’s cord blood can be the best option for treatment.

Umbilical cord blood can be used without a full matching because it is more tolerant of a new host. Due to this characteristic, it provides increased access to transplantation for patients who find it difficult to find a matching donor.

Compared to bone marrow, strict matching is not required in cord blood transplantation. More than 4000 cord blood transplants are being performed around the world on an annual basis. This has also encouraged a large number of expecting parents to preserve their baby’s cord blood.

Future of Stem Cell Medicine:

New uses of cord blood are being explored around the globe. Studies are being conducted using the cells for several regenerative therapies. By storing their baby’s cord blood for future use, expecting parents are ensuring their participation in these studies.

Parents can even donate their baby’s cord blood for public use. They can either contact the hospital at which they plan to deliver or get in touch with a public cord blood bank that offers a free kit program at other hospitals.

The Global Stem Cell Market is Expanding:

As per a study by the Grand View Research, by 2020, the global stem cell market is expected to reach USD 170.15 billion. Market growth is mainly being driven by the growing prevalence of chronic disease like diabetes, liver and cardiovascular diseases.

Read more about umbilical cord blood:-

    Wednesday 25 June 2014

    Umbilical cord stem cells as a boon for life threatening diseases


    Stem cell banking is the perfect gift parents can give to their children. It offers protection against various disorders, including thalassaemia, degenerative diseases like spinal cord injury, arthritis, sickle cell disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. If parents bank their baby's cord blood at birth, it can also be used for treatment of diseases like Alzheimer, Leukemia, Diabetes, Breast Cancer and Parkinson's.
      
    According to medical experts, incidence of diseases like Heart ailments and Diabetes is high in Indians and umbilical cord blood can be a boon in curing these diseases not just for the child but also for the entire family. The potential of stem cells is also high in the prevention of 'Graft vs Host Diseases'.

    Adult stem cells obtained from cord blood are the youngest cells, having highest life-saving potential. These cells can be collected, processed and cryogenically stored for future use, which makes umbilical cord blood extremely useful in lifesaving transplant treatments.

    Popularity of cord blood banking in India is growing as expectant parents are realizing the value of this procedure. Various stem cell banks in India are opening up and efforts are being made to spread more awareness about the benefits of stem cell banking.

    Read more about umbilical cord blood:-