Understand The Important Facts of Cord Blood Banking |
Posted: March 15, 2022 |
When you’re trying for a baby, there are several important things you need to keep in mind. Important decisions like important blood tests, prenatal vaccinations, etc. Apart from these things, there’s also one more thing that you should consider cord blood banking, which ultimately is going to change your life. A baby's cord blood is drawn from the umbilical cord, at birth. However, before you make the most important decision of your life, you need to know a few important facts about cord blood banking. The Umbilical Cord Blood is Rich With Stem CellsThe cord blood is a rich source of blood-forming stem cells, which have proven instrumental in treating over 80-life threatening diseases like cancer, thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia. According to research, the treatment of Fanconi Anaemia in 1988, is considered the most successful cord blood stem cell treatment. However, research is being carried out to combat neurological defects like cerebral palsy, autism, and Alzheimer’s. While treating these diseases, these stem cells have the capacity to multiply into Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood Cells (WBC), plasma, and platelets, thereby renewing the damaged cells. Cord Banking Will Neither Hurt You Nor Your BabyThe healthcare provider clamps the cord right after the birth of the baby, and starts taking measures to collect the cord blood in a sterile collection bag. (Delay in cord-cutting might negatively impact the cord blood collection process). Basically, while the cord blood collection process takes place, the phlebotomist takes the blood and keeps it in a kit box. This blood then goes to the lab for the processing and cryopreservation of the cord blood stem cells. So, bringing your cord blood collection kit box is a must at the time of your delivery. Cord Blood Stem Cells Must Match With the DonorIt is important to match the cord blood stem cells with the donor and the patient. The cord blood is supposed to be a perfect match with your baby. Additionally, there is a 60% to 75% chance of matching with the parents, immediate family members, and siblings. Moreover, the closer the match, the lesser the chances of complications like graft-vs-host diseases (where the donated cells attack the patient’s body). Cord Blood Stem Cells Must Be Properly StoredKnowing the power of cord blood stem cells, many expectant parents like you think of including cord blood banking in your birth plan. Once the cord blood is collected properly and advanced technology is used to recover the maximum number of stem cells, the cord blood stem cells are cryopreserved in a frozen state (196 degrees Celsius). It is preserved anywhere between 21 to 75 years of your baby’s life, so that it can be used for treatment even after two decades. All said and done, cord blood banking allows you to gain access to cutting-edge treatments for you and your family’s healthy future.
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