Cord blood banking in India is still in its nascent stage. Given the high birth rate and high level of mortality amongst the new born in the country, the need to save and bank cord blood in India is even more imperative.Unfortunately, India does not have a public bank system where the cord blood can be preserved and used by anybody in need of stem cell treatment. But on the other hand, a lot of private cord blood banks have come up in the major cities of the country, which makes it easier for the expectant parents to store and preserve the cord blood for the future use by their children and family members.
Cord blood banking is the facility of storing and preserving stem cells or the cord blood derived from the umbilical cord of the baby. This process needs to done in the first few minutes after the baby is born before the blood starts clotting. Clotted cord blood cannot be utilised. This is a completely painless procedure which does not affect the mother or the child. The cord blood is extracted from the umbilical vein which is still connected to the placenta, which is why it is also known as placental blood. Once collected this blood is stored at cryogenic temperatures in order to maintain the properties of the blood as well as the stem cells.
You can gauge the importance of Cord blood when you know that it can be used in the treatment of over 80 major critical diseases. Some of them are Leukemia, Thalassemia, Lymphoma, blood disorders and other degenerative diseases. In other countries, cord blood banking is available for personal as well as public needs. But, cord blood banking in India is right now available only for personal use. The cost of private cord blood banking is very high and not affordable by the general public.
For the expectant parents, it is very important to choose the correct cord blood cell bank. The bank should be certified, have a good reputation, proper technical expertise and experience. The facility should preferably be in a place which is not prone to natural disasters and has a storage facility with proper power backup and constant monitoring situations that ensure that the facility is able to maintain a controlled environment at all times.Given the large demand among the young parents, many cord blood storage facilities have mushroomed over the years in India. But it’s important that the parents are aware that the storage facility fulfils all of the points discussed above. The initial time period for storage is 18-25 years, which can be extended later.
Stem cells are also called as ‘naive cells’ as they have this unique capacity to turn into any kind of cell in the body. Whether it is muscles, bone cell, tissues etc.It is important for the parents to remember that umbilical cords are usually disposed of after the birth so storage facilities should be made well in advance.
Cord blood banking is the facility of storing and preserving stem cells or the cord blood derived from the umbilical cord of the baby. This process needs to done in the first few minutes after the baby is born before the blood starts clotting. Clotted cord blood cannot be utilised. This is a completely painless procedure which does not affect the mother or the child. The cord blood is extracted from the umbilical vein which is still connected to the placenta, which is why it is also known as placental blood. Once collected this blood is stored at cryogenic temperatures in order to maintain the properties of the blood as well as the stem cells.
You can gauge the importance of Cord blood when you know that it can be used in the treatment of over 80 major critical diseases. Some of them are Leukemia, Thalassemia, Lymphoma, blood disorders and other degenerative diseases. In other countries, cord blood banking is available for personal as well as public needs. But, cord blood banking in India is right now available only for personal use. The cost of private cord blood banking is very high and not affordable by the general public.
For the expectant parents, it is very important to choose the correct cord blood cell bank. The bank should be certified, have a good reputation, proper technical expertise and experience. The facility should preferably be in a place which is not prone to natural disasters and has a storage facility with proper power backup and constant monitoring situations that ensure that the facility is able to maintain a controlled environment at all times.Given the large demand among the young parents, many cord blood storage facilities have mushroomed over the years in India. But it’s important that the parents are aware that the storage facility fulfils all of the points discussed above. The initial time period for storage is 18-25 years, which can be extended later.
Stem cells are also called as ‘naive cells’ as they have this unique capacity to turn into any kind of cell in the body. Whether it is muscles, bone cell, tissues etc.It is important for the parents to remember that umbilical cords are usually disposed of after the birth so storage facilities should be made well in advance.
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