Cord Blood Banking Cost

Cord Blood Stem Cells - What Makes Them Better?

Cord blood stem cells are drawn from umbilical cord blood that remains in the stump attached to the placenta following delivery of a baby. Cord blood stem cells are of two major types, depending upon where they are drawn from.

Those in the umbilical cord blood itself are called haematopoietic stem cells. They are capable of developing into any of the types of blood cells - red cells or erythrocytes, white cells or leucocytes and plates or megakaryocytes. The other kind are mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) that are in the Wharton's jelly component of umbilical cord tissue. MSC stem cells differ in their potential to develop into cartilage, bone and even other kinds of soft tissue.

How Are Cord Blood Stem Cells Different?

Cord blood banking has grown as a specialty following the realization of the advantages of cord blood stem cells as compared to bone marrow stem cells, amniotic fluid stem cells, or even embryonic stem cells. The latter have given rise to a wave of controversy as their harvesting leads to the loss of embryos, a practice intolerable to 'right to life' activists.

Cord blood stem cells are derived from umbilical cord blood after the baby has been safely delivered, and therefore carries no risk to baby or mother. Just like embryonic stem cells, though, they are fresh, young and unexposed to environmental toxins or infectious agents.

Stem cell research has been carried out using cord blood stem cells and indicates that these are more vigorous and have greater potential to heal certain kinds of diseases than other stem cells. Primarily because of their vigor and multi-potential capabilities, stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood can be counted upon to differentiate into suitable cell lines even decades after they are harvested.

Stem Cell Therapy Using Cord Blood Stem Cells

Research is ongoing into the use of cord blood stem cells in various treatments. Cord blood cerebral palsy research is showing some promise, as is the use of this therapy in liver disease, traumatic spinal cord injury and even heart valve defects.

By far the largest advantage of umbilical cord blood stem cells has been seen following aggressive therapy for blood cancers like leukaemia or certain rare familial anemias where bone marrow is destroyed by radiation and chemotherapy. Under these circumstances, a cord blood stem cell transplant which has a high rate of acceptance without rejection or needing immune suppressive treatment can be life saving.

What Are The Advantages Of Stem Cells From Cord Blood?

The biggest benefit from cord blood stem cells treatment is that there is less risk when used for transplants.

Cord blood donation is simple, safe and effective. No harm is caused to mother or baby during the collection.

Thanks to effective cord blood storage technology, the cord blood stem cells are available readily and cord blood registry processes allow quick tissue typing and cross matching even for emergency use.

When the cord blood stem cells are cryopreserved shortly after collection, the "clock is stopped" and the cells are guarded against environmental injury, aging and any virus infections.

And as a point frequently made in the debates about cord blood stem cells vs embryonic stem cells, cord blood stem cells are not controversial in any respect as there is no harm or risk to the baby.