Research into the treatment of many diseases has show that stem cells are valuable in building new and healthy cells or strengthening the immune system. However, a person must often wait to find a matching donor. Many parents are choosing cord blood storage to ensure the available of stem cells for their child and possible other family members.
Cord blood is the hemoglobin that remains in the umbilical cord after birth. It does not cause any discomfort or harm the newborn to extract it. If the family decides not to save it, it will be disposed of at the hospital.
Stem cells are valuable because they help strengthen the immune system. They help other cells grow and assist in the building of tissues and organs. Stem cells contain the information that the developing cells of the fetus uses and that is how it helps to regenerate damaged or sick cells in a person's body.
Stem cells are also being used to treat diseases that include leukemia and other cancers. It is also believed that stem cells help to repair tissues and induce healing. It is being currently used in experimental therapy to treat brain injury, juvenile diabetes and to treat cerebral palsy.
How the cells taken from the umbilical cord differ from cells removed from bone marrow is that the bone marrow cells are older and have been exposed and damaged by environmental conditions and common viruses we are all exposed to. A person who has their umbilical hemoglobin stored will not have to wait for a donor to match. They will have their own stem cells available for treatment during the early stages of a disease or condition, which would greatly increase recovery.
The baby whose cord hemoglobin has been stored will always be able to use the stem cells for numerous diseases. Other family member who qualify as a match may also use the cells. However, if the child has an inherited genetic condition of their own, treatment would have to come from a matched sibling's stem cells.
The techniques for collecting the umbilical hemoglobin take less than five minutes each. They are also painless, save and simple. They are performed after birth so neither will distress the newborn or mother.
One method is to use a syringe to draw the hemoglobin from the cord shortly after it has been cut. The other method is to elevate the cord and allow the hemoglobin to drain into a bag. Either syringe or bag will be labeled with a registration number exclusively used for that child.
After the hemoglobin has been collected and stored properly it can be used after an indefinite period of time. It must however, be collected within the first 15 minutes of birth. Then transported to a laboratory where it must also be frozen and stored in cryogenic tanks within 48 hours.
If a family decides to not store the baby's umbilical blood, they can opt to have it donated to a stem cell bank. There will be no cost involved with the donation and it very well may save someone else's life. If you would like more information about cord blood storage or donation, please speak with your hospital or medical professional.
Cord blood is the hemoglobin that remains in the umbilical cord after birth. It does not cause any discomfort or harm the newborn to extract it. If the family decides not to save it, it will be disposed of at the hospital.
Stem cells are valuable because they help strengthen the immune system. They help other cells grow and assist in the building of tissues and organs. Stem cells contain the information that the developing cells of the fetus uses and that is how it helps to regenerate damaged or sick cells in a person's body.
Stem cells are also being used to treat diseases that include leukemia and other cancers. It is also believed that stem cells help to repair tissues and induce healing. It is being currently used in experimental therapy to treat brain injury, juvenile diabetes and to treat cerebral palsy.
How the cells taken from the umbilical cord differ from cells removed from bone marrow is that the bone marrow cells are older and have been exposed and damaged by environmental conditions and common viruses we are all exposed to. A person who has their umbilical hemoglobin stored will not have to wait for a donor to match. They will have their own stem cells available for treatment during the early stages of a disease or condition, which would greatly increase recovery.
The baby whose cord hemoglobin has been stored will always be able to use the stem cells for numerous diseases. Other family member who qualify as a match may also use the cells. However, if the child has an inherited genetic condition of their own, treatment would have to come from a matched sibling's stem cells.
The techniques for collecting the umbilical hemoglobin take less than five minutes each. They are also painless, save and simple. They are performed after birth so neither will distress the newborn or mother.
One method is to use a syringe to draw the hemoglobin from the cord shortly after it has been cut. The other method is to elevate the cord and allow the hemoglobin to drain into a bag. Either syringe or bag will be labeled with a registration number exclusively used for that child.
After the hemoglobin has been collected and stored properly it can be used after an indefinite period of time. It must however, be collected within the first 15 minutes of birth. Then transported to a laboratory where it must also be frozen and stored in cryogenic tanks within 48 hours.
If a family decides to not store the baby's umbilical blood, they can opt to have it donated to a stem cell bank. There will be no cost involved with the donation and it very well may save someone else's life. If you would like more information about cord blood storage or donation, please speak with your hospital or medical professional.
About the Author:
Located at Toronto General Hospital, we are a Cord blood clinic experienced in Cord blood banking and cord blood storage.
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