We have been
hearing a lot about the magical cure of stem cells and regenerative medicine therapy
over the last decade. Latest developments in the study of stem cell research
offer a promising approach to revolutionise the future of medicine. Self
renewal capacity and unspecialised nature of the master cells have the
limitless potential to cure different diseases. Blood present in the umbilical
cord has been found to be a rich source of stem cells. This realization has
lead to the introduction of newborn’s cord blood banking services. Pros associated with cord blood banking are
many and that is why the researchers and doctors advise the expectant parents
to bank it or donate it.
Cord blood is
used for the stem cell transplants that can treat more than 80 life-threatening
diseases including leukaemia, bone marrow disease, sickle cell anaemia and lymphoma.
Stem cells also help the body to recover from the after-effects of chemotherapy
and radiation. Moreover, if a family has a medical history of genetically
inherited disorders, then it is strongly recommended to bank the umbilical cord tissue and cord blood. Your
baby’s genetically unique stem cells can be a close match for your family
members, which will cut down the unnecessary complications. Mesenchymal Stem
cells (MSCs) present in the umbilical
cord tissue has the potential to treat different types of bone and
cartilage disorders. Several clinical trials are underway researching the role
of cord tissue in treat debilitating conditions.
Collecting the newborn’s cord blood is a simple, quick
and painless procedure that poses no threat to the mother or the baby. Right
after the delivery, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut by the medical
provider. A needle is inserted into the umbilical vein to drain out the cord
blood to the sterile collection bag. The blood is shipped to cord blood banking
facilities where it is processed and frozen with liquid nitrogen for long-term
storage. Expectant parents who can’t afford the processing and storage prices of cord blood banking services may
think about donating it to a public bank. The bottom line here is that cord
blood banking is an important decision that expectant parents should not take
lightly. Having a brief discussion with your doctor will prove helpful in
making an informed decision.
Discovery about
the presence of stem cells in the umbilical cord blood is a new milestone achieved in the stem cell
research. This new medical promise of treating illness with stem cell cord
blood has drawn the attention of the public. If you are still wondering what
exactly this cord blood is and what is cord tissue, let us explain it in the layman terms. Blood present in the
umbilical cord is termed as cord blood, whereas the tissue of the umbilical
cord is termed as cord tissue. Both the cord blood and tissue were discarded
right after the child birth in previous times, but now it has achieved a life
saving status.
If you are an
expectant parent, then it is essential to decide whether or not to bank your
newborn’s umbilical cord blood and tissue. You have to collect as much
information as possible about the cord blood banking and its benefits. More
than just defining what is cord tissue
or what cord blood is, you should figure out how it will prove beneficial in
protecting your family’s long-term health. Searching over the web pages or
having a brief discussion with your doctor will help you in collecting all the
necessary information. Once you have realised about the value of saving your
newborn’s cord blood, then it is time to decide whether to bank it or donate
it. You have to choose between private and public umbilical cord blood banks.
Storing your
baby’s cord blood at a private umbilical
cord blood bank has several set of advantages, especially if your family
has any sort of genetically inherited disorders or ailments. The cord blood you
stored at the private bank can be used for your child or it can also be a close match for any of your family member
if he or she ever needs it for stem cell transplants or therapeutic treatments.
However, expectant parents who can’t afford the high cord blood pricing or simply don’t want to bank it can think
about donating the cord blood to public banks. Umbilical cord blood donated to
the public banks will be either used for life-saving transplants or medical
research purpose. No matter whether you decide to bank it or donate it, make it
a point to check with your doctor for the availability of medical facilities.
If you are an
expecting parent, then you should be aware about the benefits of newborn baby blood cord banking services.
In most cases, the umbilical cord is clamped, cut and discarded as a medical waste.
However, the blood present in the umbilical cords and the placentas are rich in
stem cells, similar to those found in bone marrow. Used for treating a range of
conditions including blood cancers and other genetically inherited disorders,
cord blood (CB) possesses an incredible potential to save lives.
Findelio Health and Fitness Directory
