With a baby on the way comes countless tasks – from choosing a crib to babyproofing the home. Amidst all the adorable to-do list haze is one choice that makes a difference and spans the child’s entire life, storing the baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells. UCB has revolutionised the world of regenerative medicine with its versatility. This precious resource can determine the quality of life millions of the present population can lead. Here are few reasons why stem cell preservation can be one of the most advanced health choices in medicine.
Fundamentals of Stem Cells:
Stem cells exist in adult bone marrow and fat tissue as well, but those older cells have weathered years of environmental influences, biological ageing, and viral infections. Stem cells from UCB and placenta are biologically younger, clean and adaptable. Uncontaminated by wear-and-tear in everyday life these cells are significantly stronger and in a much better position to multiply and differentiate into specialized cells. UCB stem cells are significantly less likely to trigger incidence of immune rejection compared to adult stem cells.
There are 2 type of stem cells in the umbilical cord:
- Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs): Found in cord blood, these cells form red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. They serve as the foundation of the immune and circulatory systems.
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs): Found in the cord tissue itself, these cells can differentiate into bone, cartilage, muscle, and fat tissue, offering tremendous potential for organ and tissue repair.
Protection from Over 80 Diseases:
Cord Blood stem cells are no longer a future hope but a current life support in hospitals all over the world. Today, HSCs are already in established use in mainstream medical care for a range of more than 80 diseases, including:
- Blood cancer: leukemia, lymphoma
- Bone marrow failure disorders: aplastic anemias
- Inherited metabolic diseases: Krabbe’s disease, Hurler’s syndrome
- Immune deficiency: SCIDs
For children receiving massive doses of chemotherapy or having immune system problems that require replacement, transplants can supply a new lease on a healthy bloodstream.
A Perfect Genetic Match:
A newborn’s umbilical cord blood stem cell eliminates the chances of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) in autologous transplant while lowering it significantly in allogeneic uses. Needless to say that a baby’s own stem cells are a 100% genetic match for them, while full biological siblings have a 75% chance of being a partial or full match for cord blood, and parents are automatically at least partial matches.
The stem cell storage agreement not only provides protections for the baby, but potentially saves the lives of a brother, sister, or parents if an unforeseeable tragedy should befall them later in life.
The Frontier of Regenerative Medicine:
The potential for stem cell technology is phenomenal. Clinical trial on a large range of UCB stem cell uses is under way, exploring areas including:
- Nervous system disorders: cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and hypoxic brain injuries.
- Endocrine and autoimmune diseases: Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
- Organ repair utilising tissue-derived stem cells to repair injured heart muscle, cartilage, and lung tissue.
Conclusion:
Birth is the only time one can tap into the stem cells in a quick and painless procedure. A detailed discussion with the healthcare provider can guide parents to make informed choices of preserving cord blood, opening up a lifetime of opportunities.
