A Thorough Understanding of Umbilical Cord Blood Banking
Umbilical cord blood consists of stem cells which can be processed, preserved, and used to treat more than 80 disorders.
How does Umbilical Cord Blood Banking work?
Step 1: Collection of cord blood: It takes few minutes to collect stem cells. The cord is clamped and wiped with antiseptic. A needle is inserted into one of the veins in the umbilical cord and few milliliters of blood is withdrawn.
Step 2: The samples are taken to the Cell Processing Centre, where they are examined and processed.
Step 3: From the collected samples of cord blood, stem cells are extracted and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen vapour tank at extremely low temperatures (-196 degree Celsius).
What are HLA and CFU? Are they important? HLA is a short term for Human Leukocyte Antigens, and these are proteins in the immune system. By opting for HLA testing, you can predetermine the genetic HLA profile of your baby's stem cells and enable your doctor to easily evaluate the utility of the stored stem cells for your baby's siblings, or even other members of the family. HLA test can help to determine the probability of match when a transplant is required.
At present Colony Forming Units or CFU test is considered to be the best measure of whether stem cells have the ability to differentiate. It’s a two week Lab test to evaluate differentiating capacity of your baby’s stem cells and hence one can determine its potential after transplant.
For how long can you store the stem cells?
Stem Cells can be stored for an indefinite period of time. The science of cryobiology tells us that cells which are cryogenically preserved remain viable for decades. However, it has been confirmed through the first ever cord blood sample preserved in 19 years, that cord blood stem cells are still viable after being cryopreserved for 23+ years. After a systematic preservation of Stem Cells, they can be retrieved whenever required for a transplant.
Benefits of Umbilical Cord Preservation 1. Stem cells are a young bunch of cells and are unexposed to external environment. They have an ability to regenerate and treat life threatening diseases. 2. Cord blood stem cells are used to treat more than 80 blood related disorders, Eg: Sickle Cell Anemia, Thalassemia and various forms of cancer such as Leukemia. 3. The baby’s stem cells are a life saver for the entire family. In situations of crisis you will not have to spend time looking for an exact match donor. 4. Since stem cells have a capability to renew, regenerate and multiply itself, these cells can turn themselves into specific functional cells in the body 5. Stem cells have a bright future and are actively being researched for emerging medical therapies to cure diabetes, congenital heart disease, cerebral palsy and more.
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Image source: http://alphacord.com/blog/2015/03/19/6-ways-to-care-for-your-newborn/ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1121302/British-scientists-given-permission-treat-stroke-victims-stemcells-aborted-babies.html