Umbilical cord blood is a valuable source of stem cells.

Here are five facts about umbilical cord blood from Cells4Life, the experts in stem cell processing:

Source of Stem Cells:

Umbilical cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells, which are responsible for the production of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These stem cells can be used in treatments for various diseases, including metabolic disorders, blood disorders such as Diamond Blackfan Anaemia, and cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma, and neuroblastoma.

Non-Invasive Collection:

Collecting umbilical cord blood is a non-invasive and painless procedure. After a baby is born, the cord is clamped and cut, and the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta is collected using a sterile needle and bag. This process does not harm the baby or the mother.

Compatibility:

Cord blood stem cells are less likely to be rejected by the recipient’s immune system compared to stem cells from other sources, such as bone marrow. This makes them a valuable resource for stem cell transplants, especially in cases where finding a compatible donor is challenging.

Storage Options:

Cord blood can be stored for future use in public or private cord blood banks. Public cord blood banks make the cord blood available to anyone in need, while private banks store it exclusively for the family. Storing cord blood privately comes with a cost, whereas donating it to a public bank is typically free. Storing in a public bank means that the cord blood is given away without means to retrieve it, it could be used for research, matched to a patient in need of an approved therapy, or destroyed.  Storing in a family bank, like Cells4Life, means the cord blood is stored for the exclusive use of the family who can access it for approved therapies, emerging therapies, and clinical trials – the family has complete control of the sample.

Ongoing Research:

Scientists continue to study umbilical cord blood for its potential in regenerative medicine and the treatment of various medical conditions. Research is ongoing to explore its use in therapies for conditions like cerebral palsy, autism, and diabetes, among others.

Umbilical cord blood is a valuable resource that can have life-saving benefits, and its potential applications in medicine continue to expand as research progresses.  With this in mind, parents deserve to make an informed decision about the destiny of their baby’s cord blood.  The only chance to save these life-saving cells is at birth.

You can find out more about cord blood banking at Cells4Life.com, American readers can find out more about cord blood banking in the US here.