Why Cord Blood Is So Precious?
Cord blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord of a
baby after the baby's birth. Recently it has been discovered
that the cord blood contains stem cells that are rich in quality
and can be a great source of blood cells. This cord blood can be
processed, and stored in banking centers and can later be used
to replenish the stem cells in case of stem cell transplant.
Stem cells generate the blood cells required in a human body.
When the stem cells get damaged due to any reason, the blood
cell generation levels in a body will get affected. This can
result in either excess of blood cells or shortage of blood
cells. In order to treat the diseases caused by these
conditions, stem cell transplantation need to be performed, i.e.
new, healthy stem cells from a matching person have to be
transplanted to the patient.
The best source of stem cells has been the bone marrow. Recently
the cord blood from the umbilical cord of a baby has been found
to be rich in stem cell content and is being considered as a
good option for those considering stem cell transplant. Cord
blood and bone marrow can be used to as a source of stem cells
but cord blood has a set of advantages while considering for
stem cell transplant as its collection, preservation and
transplantation is comparatively easier compared to bone marrow
transplant.
Further it is highly likely that the availability of the cord
blood will become high as more people recognize its use and
simplicity with which they can donate the cord blood for stem
cell preservation by specialized banks, which can be used later
for treatments. Cord blood and stem cell preservation techniques
have gone through rapid advancements in recent times. Generally
it is the cord blood banks which will practice cord blood and
stem cell storage and preservation.
These banks will collect the cord blood and will test it for
various criteria including stem cell count before placing it in
preservation containers. Later the stem cells will be separated
and stored in liquid nitrogen in a freezer. When needed this can
either be used for the same person or can be donated to others.
The details of the tissue type of the cord blood will be
analyzed and entered in a registry to be used for
transplantation with a matching recipient. The cord blood and
stem cell preservation containers are normally cryogenically
sealed special containers where the blood can be stored for a
long time. It has been found that with proper storage cord blood
and stem cells, the preservation time can be up to ten years.
Cord blood and stem cell preservation is making a big difference
in saving the lives of people, as the number of expectant
patients waiting for stem cell transplant operations is far more
than the number of matching cord blood units available, it will
be a great advancement if the number of stem cells in an unit of
cord blood can be increased. Cord blood banking is not a
procedure adopted compulsorily anywhere. Parents desirous of
having the cord blood preserved for future use have to make
necessary arrangements with the authorised cord blood banking
services well in advance.