Umbilical cord blood stem cells

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Cord Stem Cell Banking- Ensuring a Better Tomorrow

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.

Friday 8 August 2014

How Does an Umbilical Cord Blood Bank Function?

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:-

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:-