CORD BLOOD - BETTER THAN BONE MARROW - Cord For Life (2024)

FAQs

Why is cord blood better than bone marrow? ›

Cord blood has fewer stem cells available than other bone marrow transplant options. But the stem cells in cord blood can grow more blood cells than can those collected from bone marrow. Cord blood cells are also immunologically naïve because they have not been exposed to infections.

Although privately banked cord blood is not likely to help your baby, it may help a sibling who has an illness that could be treated with a stem cell transplant. These include leukemia, sickle cell disease, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and thalassemia.

Umbilical cord stem cells rarely carry infections and diseases. This means they are less likely to be rejected when used for treatment. Can be used in the treatment of over 80 conditions worldwide. Cord blood collection is less complicated, less painful, and less risky than collecting bone marrow.

The benefits of cord blood

Cord blood is an important alternative to bone marrow for transplantation because it contains all the natural elements of blood and is rich in blood-forming stem cells, which are similar to those found in bone marrow but do not require as close a match between the donor and recipient.

Results of related cord blood transplants for children with malignancies have been summarized by Eurocord. In 147 patients, most with acute leukemia, the cumulative incidence of neutrophil recovery was 90%, and the incidences of acute and chronic GVHD were 12% and 10% at 2 years, respectively.

Umbilical cord blood is a very good source of stem cells. The blood can be collected after delivery with no risk to the baby or mother. These blood stem cells (BSC) are proven to be useful in the treatment of many blood disorders and cancers.

Some disadvantages of cord blood banking include the following: Cord blood does not contain many stem cells, which means that adults needing a transplant will require cord blood stem cells from multiple donors. People have to pay a fee for storing cord blood in a private bank, which could prove costly.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics don't recommend routine cord blood storage. The groups say private banks should be used only when there's a sibling with a medical condition who could benefit from the stem cells.

Do Hospitals Keep Placentas? Hospitals treat placentas as medical waste or biohazard material. The newborn placenta is placed in a biohazard bag for storage. Some hospitals keep the placenta for a period of time in case the need arises to send it to pathology for further analysis.

Stem cells from cord blood may have greater benefits compared to stem cells from bone marrow or blood. These include: Safe, easy collection.

What is the main disadvantage of using umbilical cord blood stem cells? ›

Disadvantages of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells

Because of the limited volume of cells collected from cord blood, the amount of stem cells in cord blood is approximately 10% less than the amount obtained from bone marrow (Moise, 2005).

Patients with some other inherited or acquired marrow or immune system disorders may also benefit from stem cell transplantation. Sources of Stem Cells for Transplantation The cells used in transplants can come from three sources: marrow, peripheral blood and the blood in the umbilical cord after a baby's birth.

How does umbilical cord blood help save lives? Umbilical cord blood contains blood-forming stem cells, which can renew themselves and differentiate into other types of cells. Stem cells are used in transplants for patients with cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.

The issue of who owns cord blood is debated. Some suggest that the cord blood sample is the property of the child on the basis that it is developmentally, biologically and genetically part of the child. Others suggest that it is the mother's property once the cord is cut.

Cord blood is rich in blood-forming cells that can be used in transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and many other life-threatening diseases. It can be especially useful for transplant patients from ethnically diverse backgrounds who often have difficulty finding a transplant match.

Cord blood stem cell transplants carry less risk of transmission of blood-borne infectious diseases compared with stem cells from the peripheral blood or marrow of related or unrelated donors.

The umbilical cord fluid is loaded with stem cells. They can treat cancer, blood diseases like anemia, and some immune system disorders, which disrupt your body's ability to defend itself. The fluid is easy to collect and has 10 times more stem cells than those collected from bone marrow.

Cord blood is the blood left behind in the placenta and umbilical cord after the birth of a baby. It is a rich source of blood-forming stem cells that can be used for both children and adults needing bone marrow transplants.