After the umbilical cord has been detached from the mother, the umbilical cord blood is collected. Doctors can also collect the blood before the placenta is expelled. In both the cases, the collection has to be transported at once to the chosen bank.
In case the blood is collected before the removal of placenta, the umbilical cord is clamped and detached as usual. It is stored in a bag and transported to the bank along with a blood sample of the mother. Care is been taken to prevent coagulation and bacterial contamination. The entire collection process is painless.
As soon as the cord blood reaches the bank, it is analyzed for its tissue type and the presence of infectious diseases such as AIDS, malaria, and hepatitis. The sample is then processed to isolate the red cells, and is Cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for future use.
Six Tops Reasons To Store Cord blood
Serious diseases liked lymphoma, leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and even thalassemia can be treated with stem cell transplant.
If the patient is able to utilize his or her own sample, or if the sample proves a perfect match for a sibling, then there are higher chances of cure.
There is very less chance of rejection of the transplanted stem cells by the recipients body. This is because the stem cells are immunological in nature as compared to peripheral blood or bone marrow stem cells.
Patients experience very low life threatening side effects after stem cell transplant.
If your kid ever needs cord blood, you do not have to search for a donor. If any of your family members needs it, then there is greater probability that the stem cells will be a perfect match. Thus, you can avail an early treatment, stop the disease from worsening, and allow faster recovery.
Many public cord blood banks have reduced the average charges of saving cord blood to help families who cannot afford the cost of storage.
Swarms of people are visiting the hospital to know more about preservation and how it is going to be beneficial for them in times of medical emergencies. The day is not far when the doctors will be able to treat and completely cure some of the most serious diseases of the human body with the help of stem cells.
