Cord blood – a term specifically referred to the blood that’s left behind in the umbilical cord and the placenta, after the baby is born. Once, although the umbilical cord (along with the umbilical cord blood) was considered as a medical waste, but with the advent of science and technology the whole scenario has changed. Cord blood is extremely rich with blood-forming stem cells and has been proven instrumental in treating life-threatening diseases and disorders, thus allowing parents-to-be to decide on umbilical cord blood banking.
Cord blood banking is surely a responsible decision, but before taking this life-changing decision, parents must look into the cord blood banking benefits. So,
The Benefits of Cord Blood Banking are
Stem cells can also be derived from bone marrow, but there are 10 times more stem cells in the cord blood used for treatment purpose. Additionally, it’s easy to find a close match before an umbilical cord blood transplantation. Moreover, there is 60% chance of matching within the baby’s family and his or her siblings.
Once the baby is separated from the mother, after the baby’s delivery, the hospital staff cuts and clamps the cord a few inches apart from the baby and uses a sterile needle and bag to collect the umbilical cord blood. Approximately 75 ml of the cord blood gets collected, without causing any pain either to the mother or the baby and transported to the lab for processing, quality testing, cryogenic-preservation and dispensation as and when required.
Some of the best cord blood banks, across the world, believe in proper baby stem cell storage and keep them in frozen state (-190 Degrees), anywhere between 21 to 75 years of a baby’s life. That means, the baby or his or her family can use the stem cells for therapy even after two decades.
Plus, some of the best cord blood stem cell banks, across the word, use innovative and patented technology, thus ensuring highest number of stem cells recovery, while processing the cord blood, with no-possibility of manual inaccuracy.
New parents can also significantly contribute to the medical fraternity by the donating their baby’s stem cells.
Overall, once a parent decides to bank their baby’s stem cells, they will reap the benefits for the rest of their life.
However, as Nelly Furtado says, “All good things (come to an end)”.
So cord blood banking also comes with its own challenges.
So…
The Shortcomings of Cord Blood Banking are:
Undeniably, cord blood stem cells have been used to treat a large number of life-threatening diseases and disorders. But that does mean it can treat any disease. Several researches towards Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and immune deficiencies are underway. Plus, baby with a genetic disorder may not be able to used his or her own stem cells for treatment, as that might carry the same condition, as well.
Looking at the benefits of cord blood banking privately, new parents might choose private cord blood banks. But, before making this decision, they should also consider the expenses involved. As, private cord blood banks charge yearly and separately, for everything, from baby stem cell collection to storage.
However, parents might also go for public banks for their baby’s stem cell preservation. In this case, the parents or their baby will no longer have any right upon their own stem cells.
To Conclude
If you are to-be-parent, and are in two minds about cord blood banking, don’t listen to naysayers and take a decision right away. Discuss all the above-mentioned ifs and buts with your doctor, and take the most responsible step for your baby and your family’s health and healthy future.
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About the Author
Prapti Chauhan Joined: August 18th, 2020 Articles Posted: 8
