Umbilical cord blood is the fluid that stays in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth. Cord blood stem cells have gained importance as they can be used to treat some disorders. The cord blood is collected after the cord has been separated from the new born. After this, a syringe is used to take the fluid from the placenta through the detached umbilical cord. Generally, this is much like how it is taken, usually.
The syringe is connected to a bag and there is a flow from the needle to the bag. The cryopreserved blood is then stored in a cord blood bank, which are different from regular banks as here there is a specific use. These banks may be private or public, and the former are generally used and paid for by the families of the donors. Private banks can be quite controversial due to the fact that the stem cells and the storage space are being used by the families, only.
This can leave those in need of donations who do not have access to a bank without an option, even if the bank has some stem cells that are unneeded. Public banks offer the stock to the general public and the donations are assigned to appropriate patients through a donor program. For new parents, there is the option of storing it in a private bank or a public bank.
The private bank will require payment and that will require consideration on the part of the parents if it is not probably that the child will need to make use of the bank. However, the public bank will not guarantee the child the use of their own genetic material, which may make it more difficult if donations are needed. The placenta itself is also a good source, containing more than is obtainable from the cord.
These can be used in treatment for blood and genetic related disorders. There are also other uses such as therapeutically for disorders such as diabetes and brain injuries. These uses are newer and less common, and so they are still being researched. Because they are not routinely done, they are still something of a challenge.
It is also thought that children who use their own stem cells may be some of the first patients to be able to have the new therapy as they are available. This is because there is no risk of rejection, since the child and the stem cells will have the same genes.
In research in this use for type 1 diabetes, they are monitoring whether the infusion will have an impact on metabolic control in newly diagnosed children. So far, it seems as if it is safe and will, in fact, slow insulin loss in those children with diabetes. There is also research being conducted on cardiovascular repair.
These will involve the stem cells selectively moving towards injured cardiac tissues, where blood flow and vascular function will improve, which will lead to overall improvement in the heart. There have already been positive results in trials conducted.
Author Resource:-
Located at Toronto General Hospital, we are a cord blood clinic experienced in cord blood Toronto storage and cord blood banking. We are a umbilical cord blood clinic with years in experience in cord blood banking & cord blood storage.
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