Should Families Consider Preserving Newborn Stem Cells If They Do Not Have A Family History Of Diseases Treatable With Stem Cell Transplants
Since many conditions that are treatable with a stem cell transplant dont run in families, family history is not a reliable indicator of need. For example, many forms of leukemia often occur spontaneously and do not always run in families. While we can look to family history for clues about risks for some common conditions being investigated in regenerative medicine , environmental conditions also impact whether or not someone develops these conditions. There are also no family indicators from sports injuries or anoxic brain injuries, which could potentially be treated with newborn stem cells in the future.
Q: What Makes Newborn Stem Cells Superheroes
Cord blood stem cells have been used in the treatment of over 80 conditions as part of a stem cell transplant.
Today, stem cell research continues to evolve, bringing new hope to patients and their families.
In fact, more than 500 CBR families have already used their preserved cord blood in a stem cell transplant or investigational setting. Heres a list of the conditions their stem cells were used for.
Only Chance For A Perfect Stem Cell Match
Cord blood is one of the richest sources of stem cells in the human body, and it can only be saved at birth. Cord blood banking is your only chance to capture the powerful cord blood stems cells unique to your child.
Saving your babys cord blood gives you peace of mind that you have immediate access to a related source of stem cells. When a stem cell match is needed to treat a disease, a family member is always the first option doctors will look to for a match. Particularly when there is a family history of certain cancers or diseases that can be treated with stem cell transplantation, the benefit of cord blood banking is similar to buying an insurance policy.
You May Like: What To Teach A Newborn
Thinking About Banking Your Childs Cord Blood
Cord blood stem cells can be used to treat certain health conditions, which is why a growing number of parents are considering storing their child’s cord blood. A baby’s immune system is less mature, therefore when their cord blood is used as a source for stem cells, it is more likely to be compatible than stem cells from other sources. …
Why Parents Should Save Their Baby’s Cord Bloodand Give It Away
- By Claire McCarthy, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
The blood left over in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born has special cells in it that can treat and even cure some serious diseases. The blood can be collected and stored and thats what many private cord blood banking companies encourage parents to do, in case their child develops one of those diseases in the future.
The American Academy of Pediatrics wants parents to collect that cord blood. But instead of keeping it for themselves, they would like them to give it away to a public cord blood bank.
Cord blood contains cells called hematopoietic stem cells. These cells can turn into any kind of blood cell and can be used for transplants that can cure diseases such as blood disorders, immune deficiencies, metabolic diseases, and some kinds of cancers. Research is revealing more and more ways it can save lives. It is precious almost magical and absolutely worth keeping. Doing so is completely safe for the baby, and doesnt affect labor or delivery.
It is only recently that we realized how precious cord blood is before then, we threw it out. We still throw it out heartbreakingly often. There is some advanced planning involved to collect it, which is why we need to get the word out to everyone who is or might be an expectant parent, or anyone who might know an expectant parent and can tell them about cord blood donation.
Recommended Reading: How Many Diapers Newborn Use A Day
How Long Can Cord Blood Stem Cells Be Stored
The maximum storage time for cord blood stem cells is a moving target. In fact, most cord blood banks do not label the units with an expiration date, as the number is likely to change. Since cord blood banking has only been in existence for 25 years, no scientific data is available to prove cord blood stem cells can be stored for longer than that.
Five Reasons To Store Umbilical Cord Blood And Cord Tissue
- 1
-
Young cells with ability to regenerate
Stem cells from the umbilical cord blood are young and unexposed to the external environment. These stem cells are capable of differentiating and regenerating into different types of cells in the human body. They have the potential to treat life-threatening diseases including blood-related and oncological disorders. 3654 clinical trials are in progress across the world around the application of stem cells for the treatment of various diseases. In India there are 31 ongoing clinical trials that delve into the usage of stem cell therapy for curing diseases.
- 2
-
Treats blood disorders
Cord blood stem cells are used in treating over 80 blood diseases including Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia and forms of cancers such as Leukemia and Myeloma. It is estimated that over 27 million babies are born with blood disorders globally. Reports show that around 10,000 to 15,000 infants born in India suffer from thalassemia and sickle cell disease. According to the WHO report of 2008, nearly 100,000 children were diagnosed with thalassemia in India and it further indicates that this number is rapidly rising.These patients need routine blood transfusions during episodes of crisis – all through their lives. Cord blood stem cells hold the power to cure such diseases effectively.
Don’t Miss: Which Body Wash Is Best For Newborn
So What Exactly Are Stem Cells
Stem Cells are the building blocks of life. They are undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate into specialized cells and can divide to produce more stem cells. In essence, for a cell to be classified as a stem cell it needs to possess the ability to self-renew and divide itself into two cells and secondly, they should be able to turn into cells that can adapt to different organs, i.e. a stem cell can function as a simple blood cell, a brain cell or a lung cell. The process of extracting stem cells from the umbilical cord right after birth is the most preferred way of harvesting stem cells because of the low amount of risk and costs involved. The umbilical cord blood is considered as one of the richest sources of hematopoietic stem cells, which possess the capability to form all types of blood cells red cells, white cells and platelets.
Also Check: How Much Milk To Feed Newborn
Preserving Your Baby’s Newborn Stem Cells With Cbr
The #1 choice of families and OB/GYNs, CBR is the worlds largest and most experienced family newborn stem cell bank.
Community
CBR’s lab and storage facility in Tucson, Arizona is built to help ensure the long-term safety of your babys newborn stem cells.
Safe Location
CBR’s lab and storage facility in Tucson, Arizona is built to help ensure the long-term safety of your babys newborn stem cells.
The Future, Now
More than 80% of the cord blood samples released by CBR have been for investigational regenerative medicine uses.
Experts At The Ready
A team of Certified Genetic Counselors is available to answer questions about your family’s health and newborn stem cells.
Experience
CBR has already stored close to one million newborn stem cell units.
Quality Testing
All newborn stem cell units are tested for multiple quality metrics.
Recommended Reading: Can Newborn Sleep Without Swaddle
What Could Stem Cells Be Used For In The Future
The potential uses for stem cells in therapy appear to be limitless. At present there are more than 7,600 clinical trials investigating the application of stem cells to treat a range of common and often life-threatening conditions including Alzheimers, spinal damage, heart disease and diabetes. Saving your babys stem cells could help to protect their health throughout their life.
What costs are involved in storing cord blood?
Cord Blood Contains Stem Cells That Can Be Used Later To Treat Cancer And Other Serious Health Conditions
For families with a history of certain cancers, storing a babys cord blood can be an attractive option. Is it right for you? And how do you go about it?
Cord blood contains stem cells that can be used if someone needs a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, said Alexandra C. Cheerva, M.D., pediatric hematologist/oncologist with Norton Childrens Hospital and UofL Physicians. There are many different cancers and blood disorders that can be treated this way, and more on the horizon.
Stem cell transplants treat leukemia, lymphoma, some solid cancer tumors, sickle cell disease, some kinds of anemia, some metabolic disorders and more, according to Be The Match, the National Marrow Donor Program.
How cord blood is saved
Shortly after a baby is born, a health care provider can remove blood containing stem cells from the umbilical cord and placenta. It is completely painless for mother and child. The blood is then stored at ultra-low temperatures, called cryopreservation, for up to 20 years.
Family Link Cord Blood Storage Program
Learn more about whether cord blood banking is right for your family.
Also Check: How Much Newborn Clothes Do I Need
Why Parents Should Save Their Baby’s Cord Bloodand
The American Academy of Pediatrics wants parents to collect that cord blood. But instead of keeping it for themselves, they would like them to give it away to a public cord blood bank. Cord blood contains cells called hematopoietic stem cells. These cells can turn into any kind of blood cell and can be used for transplants that can cure …
Choosing A Cord Blood Bank
Things to consider when choosing a cord blood bank include:
- Know what health conditions can be treated with stem cells. Be wary of cord blood banks that promise that your child’s cord blood can be used to treat conditions that there is no scientific evidence to support the claims that are being made.
- When banking cord blood, know what type of bank you are selecting and who the cord blood can be used for:
- Private banks for autologous use only
- Private banks for autologous or allogeneic use and
- Public banks for allogeneic use .
It is important to remember that only cord blood banks that store cord blood for allogeneic use are registered with Health Canada.
Read Also: How To Prevent Gas In A Newborn
How Can One Protect Her Child
Stem cell banking allows a parent to preserve their childs stem cells present in the umbilical cord blood. This provides parents with a great insurance to protect ones child should they be diagnosed with any disease or condition that can be treated with stem cell therapy. Consult your doctor in order to understand possible benefits of umbilical cord preservation in India.
QUICK LINKS
Saving Cord Blood Can Save Lives
Cord blood transplants have become an increasingly frequent procedure in the field of regenerative medicine. Over the past 30 years cord blood has been used to effectively treat over 80 FDA-approved diseases and conditions, including:
Cancers: Lymphoma, Leukemia, Neuroblastoma
Blood Diseases: Sickle cell anemia, Myelofibrosis, Congenital Cytopenia
Immune System Disorders: DiGeorge Syndrome, Congenital Neutropenia, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Diseases
Metabolic Disorders: Krabbe Disease, Hunter Syndrome , Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
The medical potential of cord blood stem cells continues to grow as well. Hundreds of clinical trials are underway, including promising research for the treatment of conditions such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Diabetes, with new trials coming every year.
Don’t Miss: What Items Needed For Newborn Baby
Why Store Cord Blood
Cord blood is rich in stem cells. These stem cells are the blood cells that give rise to all other blood cells that are vital to the human body. When transplanted, these stem cells can repopulate the patient’s bone marrow, cause cells to reproduce rapidly, and differentiate into healthy blood cells.
Cord blood stem cells can be used to treat certain health conditions, which is why a growing number of parents are considering storing their child’s cord blood. A baby’s immune system is less mature, therefore when their cord blood is used as a source for stem cells, it is more likely to be compatible than stem cells from other sources.
Cord blood can be collected and stored in advance, so it is readily available when needed. The quantity and quality of stem cells in a unit of cord blood is affected by how the cord blood is collected, transported, processed and stored by the cord blood bank. This is why it is important for cord blood banks to have well controlled procedures during all phases of cord blood banking.
Stem cells from other sources, like bone marrow, are collected from the donor only when the patient needs them.
Plan For Cord Blood Bank To Protect Yours And Your Childs Future
Cord blood immature microorganisms in the cord of the newborn can coordinate hereditary cells of the kin and guardians up to 25%. Henceforth, the cord blood library and its uses in treating the individuals who match such cells have brought positive outcomes and demonstrated the essentialness of cord blood storage.At the point when a mother is as yet pregnant with her baby, the umbilical cord is considered as the lifesaver between the mother and the baby. When the umbilical cord has been disposed of after the babys introduction to the world, at that point you will lose the opportunity of having the option to get valuable cells that the cord contains which are a careful match with your child and that you can have safeguarded.
Yet, what precisely are infections that the cord blood registry will assist you with sparing your baby from? Immature microorganisms that are saved because of the cord blood registry can enable a baby to be restored of the accompanying hazardous sicknesses: leukemia, lymphoma, bosom malignant growth, Hodgkins infection, aplastic pallor, different tumors, sickle cell sickliness, blood illnesses, innate/hereditary conditions, and different insusceptible framework issues.
Cord Blood Registry the extraction cycle.
Don’t Miss: What Do Newborn Baby Chicks Eat