Cord blood is the blood from the placenta and umbilical cord of a healthy newborn. The blood is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells and can be used to treat various diseases. These cells can morph into any type of blood cells in the body. They can form red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Traditionally, cord blood was considered medical waste. However, the last few decades have seen tremendous benefits of cord blood transplantation. It can be a powerful aid in the fight against diseases like cancer, leukemia, and sickle cell anemia.

Let us discuss cord blood transplantation and learn how it is a life-saver technique.

Cord blood transplantation

Cord blood contains a reservoir of potential lifesaving stem cells. The blood is collected, processed, and cryogenically frozen to be used for future medical emergencies. Cord blood is one of the three sources of stem cell transplantation. The other two are bone marrow and peripheral blood.

Cancer treatment methods like chemotherapy and radiation can severely impact the blood-forming cells in the marrow. Also, it can deteriorate the immune system of the body. Cord blood transplantation can be extremely beneficial in such a case.

Cord blood transplantation can take one of the two forms- Autologous transplant and Allogeneic transplant.

1. Autologous transplants

Autologous transplants use a person’s own stem cells for transplantation. For this to happen, you need to store the cord blood of your newborn right at the time of birth with a reliable stem cell bank. A private cord blood bank can store the stem cells of your child and make them available at the time of transplant.

Cord blood banking prices for private banks include one-time registration charges and annual fees until the blood is used. It can cause a financial strain if you haven’t taken cost into account beforehand.

However, with an affordable cord blood bank at $19.99/month, you can store the stem cells of your child without disrupting your budget.

2. Allogeneic transplants

Allogeneic transplants use the stem cells from a matching donor. These donors can be related or unrelated to the patient requiring a cord blood transplantation.

Siblings and family members have a better chance of being potential donors for stem cells. Hence, if you have a sick child or another family member who can benefit from stem cell transplantation, we strongly recommend storing the cord blood of your child with a private bank. In such a case, high Cord blood banking prices will bring greater benefits in the fight against diseases like cancer.

Why is cord blood a better alternative compared to other sources of stem cells?

1. For stem cell transplantation, a marrow donor has to be closely matched to the recipient. However, in the case of cord blood transplantation, partial matches can also be a suitable source for transplant. People with mixed ethnicity and uncommon tissue types could find it a preferable alternative over other sources of stem cells.

2. The cord blood bank ensures the viability of cord blood of your child for future transplantation. It also makes all the arrangements to make the stem cell available at the time and place of transplantation. Hence storing the cord blood of your child with a private bank can be very convenient.

3. Another issue related to cord blood transplantation is when the immune cells identify stem cells as foreign objects. In such a case, the immune system starts targeting your body. The issue is referred to as graft-versus-host disease. Cord blood transplantation has a lesser risk and severity of such complications.

4. Cord blood transplantation can help in treating 80 rare diseases, and there is potential for even more. Scientists and researchers are learning new ways to use cord blood as a therapeutic and regenerative medication. Some of the rare diseases that can benefit from cord blood transplantation include leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and various types of cancer.

Hence, cord blood transplantation is a life-saver technique and one of the pivotal landmarks in modern medicine.