Cord blood banking is a relatively new concept in India but it is a major breakthrough in the field of medicine. Researchers are hopeful that stem cell treatment is going to change the face of medicine. Many believe that in the years to come, it will change the way medicine is being practiced presently.
What are the benefits of cord blood banking?
With growing awareness, expecting parents are realising that there are several benefits of cord blood banking. The biggest benefit is that even right now it is being used to cure over 80 diseases successfully and, in future, studies indicate that stem cell transplant is going to be used for curing even common illnesses.Some of the major diseases where stem cell transplant is being used successfully are Leukaemia, Thalassemia, Acute Anaemia etc.
In innumerable cases it has been seen that even the sibling of the donor or a family member has been able to use these samples if they are found to be a match. This is one of the biggest benefits of cord blood banking. This can be done when the sample is being donated to a private storage facility.
What is the procedure of cord blood banking?
The whole process of extracting the blood sample is very easy and completely painless. Within a few minutes of the baby being born and separated from the umbilical cord, a needle is inserted in that part of the umbilical cord which is still connected to the placenta. Once it is inserted, it is used to extract the blood sample from the cord. This takes around 10 minutes only and is a completely painless procedure. While the needle is inserted in the umbilical cord, it is no way near the new born baby.
Once the sample is collected, it is immediately transferred to a storage facility with a controlled environment. Here, a team of expert technicians is on hand to monitor the samples round the clock. These storage facilities are temperature controlled and generally built in an area which is less prone to natural disasters. Proper safeguards are also in place to ensure damage against fire etc. Some of the facilities also offer to keep the samples in two places to provide double protection. Once these cord blood samples are stored they can be used at any time by the donor.
Can the cord blood samples be donated to non family members?
Yes, there is an option of donating it to a public storage facility where the umbilical cord blood sample can be utilised by anybody who is a match and it cannot be kept for the exclusive use of the donor itself. Such public storage facilities are there where they sell the units for patients in need. However buying a umbilical cord blood stem cells are very costly. It can go upto 30,000 US$.
The benefits of cord blood banking are innumerable and it is something which can be done easily if the parents give it a proper thought before the delivery as this is once in a lifetime opportunity
What are the benefits of cord blood banking?
With growing awareness, expecting parents are realising that there are several benefits of cord blood banking. The biggest benefit is that even right now it is being used to cure over 80 diseases successfully and, in future, studies indicate that stem cell transplant is going to be used for curing even common illnesses.Some of the major diseases where stem cell transplant is being used successfully are Leukaemia, Thalassemia, Acute Anaemia etc.
In innumerable cases it has been seen that even the sibling of the donor or a family member has been able to use these samples if they are found to be a match. This is one of the biggest benefits of cord blood banking. This can be done when the sample is being donated to a private storage facility.
What is the procedure of cord blood banking?
The whole process of extracting the blood sample is very easy and completely painless. Within a few minutes of the baby being born and separated from the umbilical cord, a needle is inserted in that part of the umbilical cord which is still connected to the placenta. Once it is inserted, it is used to extract the blood sample from the cord. This takes around 10 minutes only and is a completely painless procedure. While the needle is inserted in the umbilical cord, it is no way near the new born baby.
Once the sample is collected, it is immediately transferred to a storage facility with a controlled environment. Here, a team of expert technicians is on hand to monitor the samples round the clock. These storage facilities are temperature controlled and generally built in an area which is less prone to natural disasters. Proper safeguards are also in place to ensure damage against fire etc. Some of the facilities also offer to keep the samples in two places to provide double protection. Once these cord blood samples are stored they can be used at any time by the donor.
Can the cord blood samples be donated to non family members?
Yes, there is an option of donating it to a public storage facility where the umbilical cord blood sample can be utilised by anybody who is a match and it cannot be kept for the exclusive use of the donor itself. Such public storage facilities are there where they sell the units for patients in need. However buying a umbilical cord blood stem cells are very costly. It can go upto 30,000 US$.
The benefits of cord blood banking are innumerable and it is something which can be done easily if the parents give it a proper thought before the delivery as this is once in a lifetime opportunity
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