Umbilical Cord Stem Cells

Get Lifetime Protection by Banking Stem Cells

The richest source of lifesaving stem cells, the umbilical cord,is a fetus’ only link to the world for nine months. Connected through the placenta, it facilitates blood flow, bringing nutrients and oxygen to the baby while it is inside the mother’s womb. Earlier, the umbilical cord was discarded as waste after the baby’s delivery, due to lack of knowledge of its medical potential. Today, blood that is left in the lining of the placenta and umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells that are responsible for a revolutionary change in medical practice. Bone marrow is another good source of stem cells that can be found in every individual. However, scientists have said that the umbilical cord stem cells are a more desirable source due to a number of reasons.

Umbilical Cord Stem Cells versus Bone Marrow

Here’s a look at why umbilical cord stem cells are preferred for treatment of several diseases today:

·         Pristine health and condition: Umbilical cord stem cells are healthy and in pristine condition, since they are not exposed to any pathogens that may be found in bone marrow stem cells. This can also decrease the risk of infectious diseases being transmitted. 

·         Easy to collect: A simple, non invasive process is conducted for collection of stem cells, causing no harm or discomfort to both mother and child. On the other hand, the task of extracting stem cells from the bone marrow is expensive and cumbersome.

·         Lasts a Lifetime: When preserved under cryogenic conditions, these cells have the potential of lasting for a lifetime, without any reduction in their quality or effectiveness. 

·         Low rejection chances: There is a much lower risk of cord blood being rejected by the recipient’s body, as compared to bone marrow. Cord blood is long lasting and chances of producing new cells remain high, as compared to bone marrow cells.

·         High matching ability: These cells are immunologically immature,resulting in a higher matching ability than all other sources. In most cases, a 6/6 match may be required for stem cells from other sources, such as bone marrow. When it comes to umbilical cord stem cells, a 4/6 match is considered sufficient.

·         Readily available: Most cord blood banks preserve the stem cells in a frozen environment, so that they are easily retrievable during emergencies. This saves a lot of time as the cells are available and ready to use.

The value of umbilical cord stem cells is huge, with scientists discovering new applications for medical treatment, including treatment for conditions such as hearing loss,autism,traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy and congenital heart defects.