Umbilical cord blood consists of stem cells which can be processed, preserved, and used to treat more than 80 disorders

1. A Thorough
Understanding of
Umbilical Cord Blood Banking

2. Umbilical cord blood consists of stem cells which can be processed,
preserved, and used to treat more than 80 disorders.

3. How does Umbilical Cord Blood Banking work?
Step 1: Collection of cord blood: It takes few minutes to
collect stem cells. The cord is clamped and wiped with
antiseptic. A needle is inserted into one of the veins in
the umbilical cord and few milliliters of blood is
withdrawn.

4. Step 2: The samples are taken to the Cell Processing
Centre, where they are examined and processed.
Step 3: From the collected samples of cord blood, stem
cells are extracted and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen
vapour tank at extremely low temperatures (-196 degree
Celsius).

5. What are HLA and CFU? Are they important?
HLA is a short term for Human Leukocyte Antigens,
and these are proteins in the immune system. By
opting for HLA testing, you can predetermine the
genetic HLA profile of your baby's stem cells and
enable your doctor to easily evaluate the utility of
the stored stem cells for your baby's siblings, or
even other members of the family. HLA test can
help to determine the probability of match when a
transplant is required.
At present Colony Forming Units or CFU test is
considered to be the best measure of whether
stem cells have the ability to differentiate. It’s a two
week Lab test to evaluate differentiating capacity of
your baby’s stem cells and hence one can
determine its potential after transplant.

6. For how long can you store the stem cells?
Stem Cells can be stored for an indefinite period of
time. The science of cryobiology tells us that cells
which are cryogenically preserved remain viable for
decades. However, it has been confirmed through
the first ever cord blood sample preserved in 19
years, that cord blood stem cells are still viable
after being cryopreserved for 23+ years. After a
systematic preservation of Stem Cells, they can be
retrieved whenever required for a transplant.

7. Benefits of Umbilical Cord Preservation
1. Stem cells are a young bunch of cells and are
unexposed to external environment. They have an
ability to regenerate and treat life threatening
diseases.
2. Cord blood stem cells are used to treat more than
80 blood related disorders, Eg: Sickle Cell Anemia,
Thalassemia and various forms of cancer such as
Leukemia.
3. The baby’s stem cells are a life saver for the entire
family. In situations of crisis you will not have to
spend time looking for an exact match donor.
4. Since stem cells have a capability to renew,
regenerate and multiply itself, these cells can turn
themselves into specific functional cells in the body
5. Stem cells have a bright future and are actively
being researched for emerging medical therapies to
cure diabetes, congenital heart disease, cerebral
palsy and more.

8. Thank You
www.babycell.in
Image source:
http://alphacord.com/blog/2015/03/19/6-ways-to-care-for-your-newborn/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1121302/British-scientists-given-permission-treat-stroke-victims-stem-
cells-aborted-babies.html