Cord Blood - Uses And Benefits

What is cord blood and why is there so much of talk about it? Cord blood is human blood from the placenta which is collected after it has been separated from the new born infant. Till only a few years ago the placenta was discarded because it was considered a waste product. Now however, we know that the placenta contains blood forming stem cells, which can be used to cure many blood related diseases.

What Is A Stem Cell

Stem cells are cells that can replicate any kind of blood cells. These cells can be stored and then used by the same donor, a relative or even an unrelated person.

Two Methods To Collect Stem Cells

In the first method the umbilical cord blood is collected after the baby is born and before the delivery of the placenta. In the second method the blood is collected after the placenta has been removed from the womb after childbirth. This blood needs to be processed within forty eight hours. The blood is preserved after removing the red cells.

Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood can be stored in banks for future use. Private cord blood banking is where cord blood is stored for the use of your child, you, or your immediate family. While on the other hand, a public cord blood bank stores blood for use of even unrelated persons. While storing your cord blood in a public bank is free, it can be a little expensive to store it in a private bank. And the blood can be stored in this way for up to ten years!

The Importance Of Cord Blood

Cord blood research began in the1970s when it was found that umbilical cord blood could supply the same kinds of blood forming stem cells as a bone marrow donor. It was found that cord blood could be used to treat diseases such as thallasemia, leukemia, anemia and immune deficiency. Therefore, if you have a family history of blood diseases or immune diseases then you must opt for cord blood storage. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Cord Blood Stem Cells For Curative Purposes

To know about cord blood and its importance to humankind, it is first imperative to know what stem cells are. Cord blood stem cells are different from other cells in the body. These cells are able to divide and replenish themselves, and because they can create new blood cells they help in the repair of body tissues. These cord blood stem cells are used to treat diseases such as thalassemia, leukemia, immune deficiency and anemia.

Today umbilical cord blood is well known for its ability to cure certain diseases. But this was not so a few years ago. It was only in the 1970s that researchers discovered that the placenta of the pregnant mother is a rich source of stem cells. Before this stem cells from the bone marrow were used to treat such diseases.

Diseases That Can Be Treated Using Stem Cells

There are many life threatening diseases that can be treated using cord blood stem cells. Among these is leukemia, a dreaded blood cancer. The stem cell transplants enable the production of new blood and the restoration of the immune system in this disease. This treatment is also useful in thallasemia, sickle cell anemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Recent research has proved that heart disease, injuries of the spinal cord, neurological disorders and even diabetes can be treated with this method.

Here Are The Advantages of Cord Blood Stem Cell Usage

Cord blood can be easily collected from the placenta at childbirth where as stem cells from the bone marrow requires surgery.

Cord blood can be stored for future use in a cord blood bank, for as long as ten years. It can be transplanted back into the same donor, a close relative or an unknown person too.

Cord blood has a greater capacity to renew stem cells as compared to bone marrow.

By now you would have realized the importance of cord blood stem cells. They can save a life, and cord blood storage is advisable for a healthier future of you and your family. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Cord Blood Stem Cells For Curative Purposes

To know about cord blood and its importance to humankind, it is first imperative to know what stem cells are. Cord blood stem cells are different from other cells in the body. These cells are able to divide and replenish themselves, and because they can create new blood cells, they help in the repair of body tissues. These cord blood stem cells are used to treat immune deficiency and diseases such as thallesemia, leukemia and anemia.

Today umbilical cord blood is well known for its ability to cure certain diseases. But this was not the case a few years ago. It was only in 1970s that researchers discovered that the placenta of a pregnant mother is a rich source of stem cells. Before this, stem cells from bone marrow were used to treat immune deficiency and diseases like leukemia and anemia.

Diseases That Can Be Treated Using Stem Cells

There are many life threatening diseases that can be treated using cord blood stem cells. Among these is leukemia, a dreaded blood cancer. The stem cell transplants enable the production of new blood and the restoration of the body’s immune system in this disease. This treatment is also useful in thallesemia, sickle cell anemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Recent research has proved that heart disease, injuries of the spinal cord, neurological disorders and even diabetes can be treated with this method.

The Advantages of Cord Blood Stem Cell Usage

Cord blood can be easily collected from the placenta at child birth, whereas collection of stem cells from the bone marrow requires surgery.

Cord blood can be stored for future use for as long as ten years in a cord blood bank. It can be transplanted back into the same donor, a close relative or an unknown person too.

Cord blood has a greater capacity to renew stem cells as compared to bone marrow.

By now, you would have realized the importance of cord blood stem cells. They can save a life and cord blood storage is advisable for your you’re your family’s healthier future. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Cord Blood Registry- FAQs

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions on cord blood

What Is Cord Blood?

Cord blood is the blood that is collected from the placenta, when it is separated at child birth. This blood contains stem cells, which can be used in treating a number of hereditary and immune-system diseases. The blood can be stored in a cord blood registry or a cord blood bank.

What Is A Stem Cell?

Cord blood contains stem cells. These cells have the amazing capability to recreate themselves into new red and white blood cells and even brain and muscle cells. That is why they are immensely useful in treating diseases related to blood and immune system.

How Is Cord Blood Collected?

One way through which umbilical cord blood is collected is after the baby is born but before the delivery of the placenta. In the other method, it is collected after the placenta is delivered. Whichever way it may be collected, it is a painless and harmless procedure.

How Is Cord Blood Processed?

The cord blood must be collected and sent to a cord blood registry within forty eight hours. Here, the blood must be screened for any diseases or infections. Subsequently, the red blood cells are separated from the cord blood and the remaining cord blood is frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen.

What Is Cord Blood Banking?

Cord blood banking is the process of storing your cord blood in a bank for future use, either by you and your family member or some unrelated person (if you have donated your cord blood).

What Are Different Types Of Cord Blood banks?

There are two types of cord blood banks, private and public. Private cord blood registries are those that store your cord blood for use by you and your family members. A public cord blood bank is a bank where you donate your cord blood so that it can be used to treat any unrelated person or used for cord blood research. For more information visit pregnancy period.