Cord blood is that blood which remains in placenta and in the attached umbilical cord after childbirth. The umbilical cord is generally regarded as medical waste. But the potential uses of cord blood grows, it is imperative that families understand their options, including whether they pay to have blood stored for possible use in case of illness of their child or to donate to a public bank, so it is available to any child who needs it.
Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells in medicine coveted commodity. Stem cells from umbilical cord blood – specifically relating to blood donors – have been used to treat diseases such as cancer and some hereditary diseases. These cells can be treated with many of the same disease (multiple myeloma, or leukemia, for example) than stem cells found in bone marrow, but are easier to use because they have already invested and tissues of different donors and the recipient does not should be so similar. Such treatments appear to be as successful as bone marrow transplants in some cases.
Umbilical cord blood is used increasingly on an experimental basis as a source of stem cells as an alternative to bone marrow. Most cord blood transplants have been performed in patients with diseases of the blood and immune system. Transplants of cord blood were also performed for patients with genetic diseases or metabolic disorders.
Moreover, the emergence of regenerative medicine has created a new potential uses of umbilical cord blood. Some researchers are working to persuade the umbilical cord stem cells into a range of tissues that could be used one day to treat a variety of diseases or to repair injuries.
Cord blood bank is a once in a lifetime opportunity to save the blood of your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells for potential medical applications. After saving umbilical cord blood can save lives or change the life of your baby or other family members and ensure that these cells are available if ever needed.
Collecting cord blood is a simple, safe and painless test that takes less than five minutes and occurs immediately after birth. After the umbilical cord is cut, the blood that remains in the cable is removed. Cord blood is sent to the laboratory and frozen in cryogenic tanks for long-term conservation.
Every couple who is pregnant should look into this and make a decision for themselves about what to do?
Tags: Cord blood, CORD BLOOD PRESERVATION, umbilical cord blood