The History of Umbilical Cord Blood Banking
In the 1970s, scientists discovered that the blood contained within a baby’s umbilical cord was rich in stem cells. Stem cells are cells which hold the potential to create other cell types within the human body. Some serious illnesses, including certain types of childhood cancers and blood and immune system disorders, require harsh treatments to destroy the diseased cells which cause them.
Unfortunately, these treatments often inadvertently destroy many healthy cells too, including the stem cells that are found in the bone marrow. Depending on the disease diagnosed and the treatment required, some patients require bone marrow transplantation from a donor whose bone marrow cells are a close match to their own. Stem cells from the bone marrow of a donor are then transplanted into the ill patient, and these cells are then able to manufacture new, healthy cells that enhance the patient’s immune system. Following discovering the value of stem cells, scientists began collecting and storing umbilical cord blood for the stem cells contained within it.
Collection of the blood from the umbilical cord must occur shortly after a vaginal or cesarean (C-section) birth. The blood is collected using a special kit obtained from an umbilical cord blood banking company or organization. Once collected into bags or syringes, the cord blood is taken by courier to an umbilical cord blood banking laboratory. On arrival, the stem cells are separated from the remainder of the blood and are frozen in liquid nitrogen. If required, the stem cells can be thawed out and used either in autologous procedures, in which an individual receives their own umbilical cord blood in a transplant, or allogeneic procedures, in which an individual receives umbilical cord blood from a donor. As cord blood research is a new area of research, the maximum storage time for umbilical cord blood cells is still being determined. However, stem cells that have been in storage for over a decade have resulted in successful transplants.
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