If you remember your biology class, please note that cells are the building blocks that form the body. While most cells have designated an object (such as heart cells that merge to form the heart, or kidney cells, which combine to form a kidney), there are others such as the stem cells that have separately the ability to adapt to other cells to promote growth and along some healthy cells throughout the body.
1. Treatment
The drug produced from these stem cell drug (s) can be used to repair or replace cells that are diseased or damaged. In particular, stem cells can cure or treat the following:
- The diseases of red blood cells
- Diseases of white blood cells
- Cancer
- Fabrics (such as heart tissue)
There are several types of stem cells, bone marrow is an example. However, the umbilical cord blood is considered the main source of stem cells.
2. What is cord blood?
Cord blood is the blood of people who remain in the points after the birth. Cord blood, umbilical cord and placenta is unique because of abundant blood-forming stem cells it contains and the advantages it has respect to other types of stem cells.
- As cord blood is a rich source of stem cells
- Stem cells from umbilical cord blood responses from other types of stem cells
- Stem cells from umbilical cord blood can be used to treat various diseases among children and adults
- Cord blood provides a precise match – there is no risk of rejection when you use your blood
- From the cord blood has an increased risk of family members, corresponding
- Cord blood has a much lower probability of graft versus host
- Studies in cell expansion technology have been conducted to evaluate the possibility of allowing stem cells from a single unit of umbilical cord blood to be used repeatedly and for members of large families
3. How is cord blood collected?
After the placenta and the umbilical cord is separated from the newborn, are placed in a disinfected structure to support the cable suspended from the support. Cord blood is then collected by gravity drainage, which can produce up to 99 ml (average).
Once harvested, the cord blood is taken from a bank of cord blood are treated when a test for infectious agents and the determination of their tissue type. The blood of the umbilical cord must meet the following standards before it can store:
- The umbilical cord blood must be a considerable amount
- The story of the family must meet eligibility criteria, and must not show any sign of infection or other possible problems
If the unit of cord blood to meet these standards, it is processed and depleted of red blood cells before being frozen (to be frozen and stored in a freezer with liquid nitrogen). The unit of cord blood is then included in the list of cord blood banking, where it will be tried a recipient of correspondence and then transplanted. The studies were always conducted to determine the duration of the preservation of umbilical cord blood, but initial reports show umbilical cord blood can be kept high up to ten years before it expires.
4. Costs
In 2005, private banks offer the blood of the spinal prices ranging from $ 1290 – $ 2000 for the collection (which includes recording and processing) and about $ 95 – $ 100 per year for the preservation of cord blood reserved for private use. On the other hand, there is no cost to donate cord blood – the cord blood bank to cover the costs of processing and storage of umbilical cord blood units donated. But because banks umbilical cord blood is a little ‘later on the banks of the cord blood is available only in limited communities. In areas where not available, doctors (OB / GYN) continue to charge a fee ranging from $ 100 – $ 250.
There are hospitals and medical centers that offer programs in which cord blood banking is free if you meet the eligibility requirements. She is having a child with a transplantable condition or a prenatal diagnosis indicates a high risk of having a transplantable condition.
4. Using cord blood
If necessary, the cord blood is cry preservedand thawed cry preservedwashed before being injected into a vein of a patient. Studies show the potential use of hematopoietic cells from umbilical cord blood as a new method to treat patients with serious illnesses. Since 1988 have been used to treat various diseases and disorders, such as:
- Diseases of the blood (anemia)
- Cancer (cancer of the lung, ovarian, brain tumor)
- The syndrome of the bone marrow (leukemia)
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Rheumatoid
- Immunodeficiency (severe combined immunodeficiency or SCID)
- Inborn errors of metabolism
Currently, cord blood is used for the treatment of over 40 deadly diseases. There are, however, many things we still do not know yet, and research is ongoing in the hope of identifying them. There are also ethical considerations to take into consideration, but much less than the embryo or fetus
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