The discovery that cord blood has a goodly percentage of stem cells that can be used in the treatment of variety of conditions is set to revolutionize medical practice around the globe. The sample is extracted from the umbilical cord and the placenta before, during or after the birth of an infant. The mother will have given her consent for this to be done prior to delivery.
While the afterbirth used to be discarded right after birth as medical waste, it is now common for the process of extracting a sample to be done before disposal is done. If a case arises in the future where these stem cells might prove a match for a patient, then the sample in storage is used for treatment as the case might be. With new research helping experts come up with newer and better methods of using this technology, the future looks promising in this field of medical practice.
There is a substantial list of both malignant and non-malignant conditions that render themselves naturally to this technology. It has also been proven to be effective for both adults and children. In particular, the method is effective in treating leukemia, non Hodgkin's lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, spinal injuries and diabetes.
Even the most enthusiastic supporters of this method readily concede that it is yet to gain acceptability in medical circles as the more tradition bone marrow transplants. This notwithstanding, one needs to note that the level of interest that has attended its rise and application in a variety of conditions is nothing short of phenomenal. Since umbilical stem cells are considered more primitive, they are more suited to differentiate to any sort of new tissue as the case might call for.
Bone marrow transplants also fail in a number of respects to match up to this method in a number of respects. For instance, cord blood banking does not require that the donor be under any form of anesthetic in order for it to be performed successfully. More importantly, the donor is not exposed to any form of risk of infections as is the case when performing a bone marrow extraction.
Doctors usually result to either of two proven methods when performing the procedure. If the procedure is carried out before delivery is over, the process is known as 'in-utero'. However, if it happens right after the mother has delivered her baby, it is referred to as 'ex-utero'. Whatever the case might be, the risks are very slight no matter whether the mother delivers vaginally or by caesarean.
Once the collection has been done, the sample is delivered by a medical courier to a blood-bank. It will be scanned to ensure that it does not contain any infectious disease pathogens before storage. The red blood cells will also be separated and removed from the extract.
The sample will then be cooled very gradually in order to prevent any shock that might damage the cells. When it has attained temperatures of around minus 90 degrees, transferring it to custom made freezers in anticipation of any orders. Some custom made bags are used to ensure the extract is effectively stored, and even where part of the sample has been used, there is enough remaining to regenerate a new culture.
It is arguable that cord blood has revolutionized a branch of medical practice that had attained a distinct air of complexity. Though largely regarded as experimental as there are no firmly established methodologies, there is adequate anecdotal evidence to suppose that this state of affairs will not hold true for long.
While the afterbirth used to be discarded right after birth as medical waste, it is now common for the process of extracting a sample to be done before disposal is done. If a case arises in the future where these stem cells might prove a match for a patient, then the sample in storage is used for treatment as the case might be. With new research helping experts come up with newer and better methods of using this technology, the future looks promising in this field of medical practice.
There is a substantial list of both malignant and non-malignant conditions that render themselves naturally to this technology. It has also been proven to be effective for both adults and children. In particular, the method is effective in treating leukemia, non Hodgkin's lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, spinal injuries and diabetes.
Even the most enthusiastic supporters of this method readily concede that it is yet to gain acceptability in medical circles as the more tradition bone marrow transplants. This notwithstanding, one needs to note that the level of interest that has attended its rise and application in a variety of conditions is nothing short of phenomenal. Since umbilical stem cells are considered more primitive, they are more suited to differentiate to any sort of new tissue as the case might call for.
Bone marrow transplants also fail in a number of respects to match up to this method in a number of respects. For instance, cord blood banking does not require that the donor be under any form of anesthetic in order for it to be performed successfully. More importantly, the donor is not exposed to any form of risk of infections as is the case when performing a bone marrow extraction.
Doctors usually result to either of two proven methods when performing the procedure. If the procedure is carried out before delivery is over, the process is known as 'in-utero'. However, if it happens right after the mother has delivered her baby, it is referred to as 'ex-utero'. Whatever the case might be, the risks are very slight no matter whether the mother delivers vaginally or by caesarean.
Once the collection has been done, the sample is delivered by a medical courier to a blood-bank. It will be scanned to ensure that it does not contain any infectious disease pathogens before storage. The red blood cells will also be separated and removed from the extract.
The sample will then be cooled very gradually in order to prevent any shock that might damage the cells. When it has attained temperatures of around minus 90 degrees, transferring it to custom made freezers in anticipation of any orders. Some custom made bags are used to ensure the extract is effectively stored, and even where part of the sample has been used, there is enough remaining to regenerate a new culture.
It is arguable that cord blood has revolutionized a branch of medical practice that had attained a distinct air of complexity. Though largely regarded as experimental as there are no firmly established methodologies, there is adequate anecdotal evidence to suppose that this state of affairs will not hold true for long.
About the Author:
Located at Toronto General Hospital, we are a Cord blood clinic experienced in Cord blood banking Canada and cord blood banking.