Cord Blood Saves Lives

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Pharmeceutical-Medical )



Cord blood is the extra remaining human blood collected from the umbilical cord and placenta of your baby that can be saved at the time of your baby’s birth. It measures about a cup and is normally disposed of by hospitals.

Pregnant mothers about to deliver their babies should think of saving cord blood as it contains immature blood stem cells which can be cultured, grown and divided into different types of blood cells. It can be used to treat patients and family members who may need a bone marrow transplant, when no match for a bone marrow can be found. Cord blood is also used to treat other diseases.

Specific tests are performed in order to check whether the cord blood is compatible with the patient. If compatible, transfusion to patient is then performed.

Before someone receives a transfusion, routine tests are carried out to prevent possible transmission of certain diseases to the patient receiving the transfusion. The results of the cold blood testing for tissue type and results are stored electronically and confidentially.

There are two ways in saving cord blood. There is the public cord bank where your cord blood is kept until a patient, other than your family member uses it for their treatment. There is also the private cord blood bank where the blood is kept for your family’s use. Cord blood normally provides a perfect match for the child from whom the cord blood is collected; eliminating the process of finding a matching donor and having their transplant rejected. Banked cord blood provides a one out of four match for siblings, which is an important factor when treating a sick family member.

There are certain annual storage and enrollment fees involved in cord blood storage. It is best to check with the company that you have chosen for the fees they charge. Do keep in mind that fees for public cold blood storage costs less than private cold blood storage.

Cord blood donation is not currently possible in many countries. However, there are several blood banks available and some are being developed throughout the United States.


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