Stem cell banking is no longer a futuristic idea. It’s a well-established part of modern healthcare. With growing advancements in regenerative medicine, stem cells are already being used to treat a wide range of serious and life-threatening diseases. But how well do expectant parents really understand these benefits? From where stem cells come from to the importance of cord blood banking, the types of banking available, and the diseases they can help treat, this article covers it all.
Let’s start reading!
Stem Cells: Defining The Term!
These are specialised cells in our body that can take on various roles. They have 2 main qualities, including:
- Regenerative properties – The ability to divide and multiply themselves into more stem cells.
- Repairing potential – Stem cells can turn into other cell types, such as muscle, skin or blood cells. This helps repair and replace damaged cells while promoting health and healing.
Where Do Stem Cells Come From?
- Embryonic Stem Cells
Going with the name, these stem cells come from embryos. They are pluripotent, meaning they can differentiate into almost any cell type in the human body, which gives them a very high developmental potential.
- Adult Stem Cells
Adult doesn’t mean they’re old, definitely! These cells are present in various tissues and organs in our body. They are typically multipotent, meaning they can develop into a limited range of cell types related to their tissue of origin, which makes their differentiation potential more restricted compared to embryonic stem cells.
- Cord Blood Stem Cells
We believe that you’re aware of the term cord blood. Still, let’s recall this term in brief. It refers to the blood left in the placenta and umbilical cord of the baby after birth. It includes powerful hematopoietic stem cells, which have some exceptional superpowers. These regenerative cells can potentially treat fatal diseases. Cord blood stem cells are like those distinctive cells in our body that can differentiate into new cell types and perform various roles.
Importance Of Cord Blood Banking
Are you aware that 97% of this cord blood was once discarded as medical waste?However, it’s true.
But, in recent years, significant changes have occurred. Scientists around the globe discovered the immense value of these cells that were once considered medical waste. And, these cord blood cells have 10 times more stem cells than those collected from adult bone marrow. These cells are also FDA-approved for the treatment of many life-altering diseases.
Isn’t it surprising? That’s why many parents look forward to preserving their newborn’s stem cells. Now, let’s move to the next section below.
Cord Blood Stem Cells: Disease That Can Be Treated!
Find the list of diseases that can be treated with cord blood stem cells:
| Blood Disorders | Immune Conditions | Cancers | Metabolic Disorders |
| Acute Myelofibrosis | Ataxia-Telangiectasia | Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia | Adrenoleukodystrophy |
| Agnogenic Myeloid Metaplasia | Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome | Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia | Hunter’s Syndrome |
| Amyloidosis | Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia | Acute Biphenotypic Leukaemia | Hurler’s Syndrome |
| Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anaemia | Chediak-Higashi Syndrome | Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia | Krabbe Disease |
| Congenital Amegakaryocytosis Thrombocytopenia | Chronic Granulomatous Disease | Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Acute Undifferentiated Leukemia | Metachromatic Leukodystrophy |
| Aplastic Anemia | Common Variable Immunodeficiency | Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia | Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome |
| Beta Thalassemia Major | DiGeorge Syndrome | Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia | Metachromatic Leukodystrophy |
| Diamond Blackfan Anaemia | Erythropoietic Porphyria | Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia | Morquio Syndrome |
| Essential Thrombocythemia | Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis | Multiple Myeloma | Mucolipidosis |
| Fanconi Anemia | Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome | Medulloblastoma | Niemann-Pick Disease |
| Glanzmann Thrombasthenia | Infantile Genetic Agranulocytosis (Kostmann Syndrome) | Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia | Osteopetrosis |
| Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) | Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency | Plasma Cell Leukaemia | Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease |
| Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria | Lymphoproliferative Disorders | Hodgkin’s Lymphoma | Sandhoff Disease |
| Polycythemia Vera | Lymphoproliferative Disorders-X-linked | Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma | Sanfilippo Syndrome |
| Pure Red Cell Aplasia | Myelokathexis | Neuroblastoma | Scheie Syndrome |
| Refractory Anaemia with Excess Blasts | Neutrophil Actin Deficiency | Retinoblastoma | Sly Syndrome |
| Refractory Anemia | Omenn Syndrome | Wolman Disease | |
| Refractory Anaemia with Excess Blasts In Transformation | Reticular Dysgenesis | ||
| Refractory Anaemia with Ringed Sideroblast | Pearson’s Syndrome | ||
| Sickle Cell Disease | SCID (X-linked) | ||
| SCID with the absence of normal B cells and T-cells | |||
| SCID with absence of T and B cells | |||
| SCID (ADA-SCID) | |||
| Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome | |||
| Systemic Mastocytosis | |||
| Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome |
Stem Cell Banking & Its Types
After your baby’s birth, a small section of the umbilical cord is clamped and cut to collect a blood sample. This sample, along with a sample of the mother’s blood, undergoes quality checks to ensure suitability for long-term storage. If it meets the criteria, the sample is then preserved using a special freezing process for potential future use. Otherwise, the sample is disposed of following proper procedures.
While opting for cord blood stem cell banking, know that there are three main options to choose from:
- Private
- Public
- Community banking
When you bank your little one’s cord blood stem cells at a private bank, only immediate family members & the baby can use them for medical treatments, when needed. On the other hand, public banks rely on donations. Parents donate their baby’s umbilical cord blood, which goes into a common pool that may be used by any compatible recipient.
Community banking mixes the features of both private and public banks. It’s cheaper and gives access to all community members, making it easier to find a good match for stem cell transplants.
Conclusion
Given its bright prospects, we recommend every expectant parent to preserve their baby’s cord blood stem cells and secure the future health of their babies & families. Cord blood is a valuable biological resource with proven medical relevance and it can be collected only once, at the time of birth. So if you’re pregnant, make the best of it!
If you wish to know more about cord blood banking and how your family can benefit from it, visit www.lifecell.in & book a free consultation with a LifeCell expert today. You may also reach out on their toll-free number 18002665533.
