About Cord Blood

You must have heard about cord blood and wondered what it is. Let me give you a brief explanation. It is human blood from the placenta which is collected after it has been detached from the newborn baby after the pregnancy period. As you know, the placenta would earlier be discarded after birth, being considered a waste product. It was only later that the blood was found to be a rich source of blood forming stem cells which could be used for cord blood transplantation to treat certain blood related diseases.

What is a Stem Cell?

A stem cell is a blood cell which has the ability to recreate any kind of blood cells. These stem cells can be stored and then transplanted back into the same donor, a family member or even to an unrelated person. They are used to treat people suffering from blood and immune system related diseases.

There are two methods to collect umbilical cord blood stem cell. One method is where the blood is collected after the baby is born but before the delivery of the placenta. The other method is where the blood is collected after the placenta is also delivered and removed from the baby. This blood has to be processed within 48 hours. The red cells are removed and the blood is then preserved for further use.

Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood banking is the process where you can store your child's cord blood in order to be used for transplantation. A public cord blood bank is where you can donate blood which can be used by anyone who needs it. A private bank on the other hand is where you store it to be used only for yourself or your family members. You will be surprised to know that cord blood can be stored and used even after 10 years!

The Importance Of Cord Blood

Cord blood has been used since the late 1980's to treat a number of blood and immune-system related genetic diseases. Some diseases being successfully treated are leukemia, anemia, thallassemia and immune deficiency.

Cord blood research has been going on since the 1970's when researchers discovered that the umbilical cord blood could supply the same kinds of blood forming stem cells as a bone marrow donor.

If you have a family history of blood or immune system related diseases, then you should opt for cord blood storage in a private cord blood bank. This way you can be assured of having your own cord blood in case you or your child needs a transplant in the future. It is in your best interest to do so even without having such family history. You never know what the future may bring. In case your child is diagnosed with any one of the life threatening diseases, at least you will be assured of having stored cord blood which could save his or her life.