Cord Blood Benefits
Storing your child’s cord blood after birth provides peace of mind, as these stem cells can treat conditions like cancer and immune disorders later in life.
Banking cord blood can be life-saving. Stem cells from cord blood have been used for over 20 years, and treat 80 different diseases, including certain types of cancer and immune disorders. Over 35,000 patients have received a successful transplant, with thousands more being treated every year.
Cord blood is considered regenerative medicine, a relatively new field of medical therapy that repairs cells and tissues. Regenerative medicine is predicted to be an extremely important discipline in the next decade. Umbilical cord blood is one of the richest sources of stem cells, which serve as the basis for reparative treatment. Every year, medical trials test new therapies, increasing treatment options for patients and doctors.
Current treatments
There are already more than 80 different diseases that cord blood therapy can treat. Choosing to bank your child’s cord blood can protect them from the following types of diseases:
- Cancers
- Blood Disorders
- Metabolic Disorders
- Immune Disorders
See the full list of current diseases treated with cord blood.
Future treatments
Clinical trials are testing both cord blood and cord tissue for additional treatments. While researchers don’t understand the full extent of cord blood-derived cells, research points towards these stem cells having a wide variety of regenerative capabilities.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials are testing cord blood treatments for various conditions, including:
Alzheimer’s Disease
According to a recent study, cord blood cells improve conditions for Alzheimer’s patients. There are currently three different human trials testing cord blood’s effectiveness for Alzheimer’s. Many researchers believe that stem cells will dramatically increase treatment options for Alzheimer’s, and similar conditions, in the near future.
Heart Damage
Infants with heart problems can benefit from stem cell therapy. Studies show engineered heart valves using stem cells functioned properly in babies with defective heart functions. Over time, the biodegradable devices dissolved, while the stem cell material remained and functioned as proper heart valves.
Lung Injury
According to new research, patients suffering from BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia) may benefit from cord blood in the near future. Clinical trials show a reduction in injury and inflammation for test subjects receiving stem cell therapy. BPD happens to infants most often, and is treated with a ventilator. This disease can have long-term effects, and may even be lethal over time.
Stroke
Studies show umbilical cord blood treatment fully restores test subjects experiencing acute stroke symptoms. Stem cells increased blood flow to the injury, while also improving brain activity. Subjects also demonstrated more body control, most likely from cord blood cells’ ability to help the brain function naturally.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
In previous clinical trials, cord blood cells decreased the cellular imbalance in joints, and reduced inflammation. Overall, researchers noted that cord blood cells reduced arthritis considerably in animal test subjects.
Parkinson’s Disease
Since 1987, clinical trials have studied stem cell treatments for Parkinson’s disease. Results are positive, with test subjects showing improved nervous system and movement functions.
Periphery Artery Occlusive Disease
Researchers state animal test subjects showed new blood cell generation, and increased blood flow, while using stem cell treatment. Subjects even demonstrated greater red blood count in limbs that weren’t injected with stem cells.
Liver Disease
During laboratory research, patients with liver problems went through a stem cell infusion. These subjects showed an overall increase in liver response, and larger amounts of glucose and insulin, two important elements of liver function.
Spinal Cord Injury
In clinical trials using rats, cord blood can improve the functionality of subjects with acute spinal cord injury.
Bone Repair
Medical organizations around the world are testing bones made from stem cells for surgical use. A recent study by Columbia University found that an artificial jawbone created from stem cells generated bone and cartilage. Over time, treatment with cord blood cells replaced damaged bones with natural, healthy bone tissue.
Wounds
Studies are currently testing stem cell therapy for wounds in mice. Diabetic mice, with weakened immune systems and nerve damage, showed faster healing times during cord blood treatment. In addition, these mice developed more blood cells in their bodies, especially around the wounded area.
If you and your family are interested in future treatment using stem cells, you can find more information on cord blood storage here.
