What is Cord Blood
During pregnancy, the umbilical cord functions as a lifeline between mother and child. Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth. After the baby is born, the cord blood can be collected as it contains valuable stem cells which could be used to treat certain medical conditions. This is because cord blood is a rich source of stem cells known as haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). These HSCs are primarily responsible for replenishing blood and regenerating the immune system.
Cord blood stem cell transplants are used in the following ways:
Replace and regenerate damaged or diseased bone marrow
Treatment for blood cancers
Correct genetic defects (sibling/allogeneic transplantation)
Potential for cellular therapy and regenerative medicine
HSCs have the unique ability to differentiate into various cell types found in blood as depicted in the diagram below:
Red Blood Cells
Carry Oxygen to all cells in body
White Blood Cells
Fight infections
Platelets
Assist in blood clotting
Future application of umbilical cord blood stem cells
The list of stem cell treatable diseases continues to grow at a rapid pace. With the potential to become different cell types, scientists are exploring the possibility of using umbilical cord blood stem cells to treat some of the most common life-threatening diseases such as heart diseases and stroke. Thus saving your baby’s umbilical cord blood now can ensure your child's access to his/her own stem cells for such cellular therapy in the future.
Current most commonly researched treatments:
Repair nerve cells: to heal brain and spinal cord injuries or brain damage caused by stroke.
Regenerate cells to form new blood vessels: to treat heart and circulatory diseas.
Replace damaged cells: to improve recovery from cardiovascular diseases, a heart attack, or injury.
Regenerate brain cells: to treat brain injury, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s disease.
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