Everything You Need To Know About Cord Blood

Introduction

Cord blood is collected after an infant is born, and the umbilical cord is cut, the cord blood is found in the blood vessels of the placenta and the umbilical cord.

Cord blood is majorly used for 'hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.' Cord blood is a crucial factor for patients suffering from disorders related to the hematopoietic system.

Why is Cord Blood Useful?

Scientist Wonnacott says that - cord blood is useful because it is the most fundamental source of stem cells that form into blood cells.

In many cancer patients, the disease is present in the blood cells. The process of chemotherapy kills both the cancer cells and blood-forming stem cells.

For such patients cord blood is very useful, and it promotes the 'regrowth process' by generating more blood-forming stem cells that transform into blood cells.

How is Cord Blood Preserved?

When the cord blood is collected after the baby is born, it can then be frozen and stored for many years without contaminating.

The process of freezing cord blood is known as 'cryopreservation' which the scientists claim to be very crucial to maintain the integrity of the cells.

You can choose to store your cord blood in a private cord blood bank for future purposes. It might come into use for second or third-degree relatives.

The use of cord blood in private cord blood banks is regulated and monitored by the FDA, which governs cord blood in several ways, depending on the source, level of processing, and intended usage.

Conclusion

Parents who are looking for registering cord blood to their family or donating it - must start viewing for cord blood banks a month before when the baby is born.

Since cord-blood banks use the process of cryopreservation, they charge a particular fee for storing your cord blood. The price may vary from $1000 - USD 2000.