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Eligibility Guidelines For Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

August 10, 2011 By admin

Eligibility Guidelines for Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

There is absolutely no pain or risk associated with collecting cord blood stem cells. This
procedure takes place immediately after the birth of the baby, and takes only a few minutes. When collecting cord blood stem cells, the medical team will simply clamp the umbilical cord after the removal of the baby, and begin the flow of umbilical cord blood into the collection system.Cord Blood Banking Guidelines

Collecting cord blood stem cells is an uncomplicated procedure as it takes place after
delivery. This is unlike the harvesting of stem cells from bone marrow which requires a
surgical procedure under anesthesia, is painful and invasive, and costly.

There are some eligibility guidelines that have to be met for collecting cord blood stem
cells. The donor must be 18 years or older, in good health and free from several infectious diseases as regulated by the FDA and CDC. For example, it is not recommended that a private bank accept a specimen from a mother who has a history of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B or C, West Nile Virus or Chagas’ Disease. Public banks have additional requirements which include rejection of donations from those who have had tattoos in the past twelve months.

As long as the woman is in good health, and is living in a community where collecting
cord blood stem cells is available, it is possible to donate the baby’s cord blood. Mothers have to choose the participating cord blood bank and consult her doctor for guidance

After collecting cord blood stem cells, the cord blood is sent to the cord blood bank to be
stored for potential future use. It may even be possible to use a privately stored cord blood specimen for another family member. Statistics and research show that there is a 1 in 2 chance that the baby’s cord blood stem cells would be a match for the biological mother and father and a 1 in 4 chance of being a match for biological siblings.

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Methods Of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

July 28, 2011 By admin

Methods of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

Collecting cord blood stem cells is not at all harmful to the mother or the infant donor. Umbilical cord blood is collected immediately after delivery.  However, it is important to note, if there are any complications in delivery, there is a chance that your medical caregiver will be unable to collect a specimen of cord blood stem cells.Methods Of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

When collecting cord blood stem cells, the umbilical cord is clamped after birth. This breaks the link between the baby and placenta. After this, the trained medical staff drains the cord blood from the placenta and umbilical cord. There are different ways for collecting cord blood stem cells, but all have the same purpose.

A needle is usually used for collecting cord blood stem cells into a blood bag, and this procedure takes approximately five minutes. Many companies have different methods of collecting cord blood.  Most companies today use the gravity bag collection system.  Some companies still use the syringe method and many public banks continue to use this method.  The collection style can also be determined based upon the type of delivery, vaginal delivery or cesarean section. Whichever the method, the mother’s cord blood is collected first using a venipuncture.

Colleting cord blood stem cells takes place after birth in both methods using a specific, pre-ordered kit from their chosen cord blood bank.  It is only after the baby is safely delivered that cord blood is collected.  The amount of blood collected during the procedure is essential as there is a direct correlation between the volume collected and the number of critical stem cells that can be recovered.

After the harvesting of cord blood stem cells, the blood is then shipped overnight taken to the cord blood bank. Research has shown that optimal cell levels can be recovered within 24-28 hours after the delivery of the baby.  It is here that the cord blood specimen should be processed, tested and cryogenically stored in quarantine until infectious disease test results received.  A cord blood company should be using a barcode system to avoid identification errors.  After this, when required, blood forming stem cells are thawed and used either in autologous or allogeneic procedures.

In autologous procedures, a person receives his or her own cord blood in a transplant, while in allogeneic procedures, a person receives cord blood that is donated from someone else like a sibling, close relative or someone anonymous. So, you can see that there are many benefits to collecting cord blood stem cells; this blood can save not only the donor, but also others from many life threatening diseases.

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History of the Value of Cord Blood Storage

August 24, 2010 By admin

History of the Value of Cord Blood Storage

To date, approximately 8,000 people worldwide have received medical therapies using the stem cells saved from a newborn’s umbilical cord during cord bloodHistory of Cord Blood Storage storage. Among the diseases treated: leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic conditions and immune system disorders.

The process of cord blood storage is very simple – just after the birth of a newborn the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Blood is drawn from the cord and stored in a sterile environment until it can be transferred to a cord blood storage facility. The stem cells from that blood can eventually be utilized (after testing and matching) in rebuilding the blood or immune systems.

Historical Benchmarks in Cord Blood Storage

By participating in cord blood storage you and your child contribute to a rich history of life saving events.

1983 – First proposal of the concept of using umbilical cord blood as an alternative source of stem cells for transplant. The basic function of cord blood stem cells is similar to bone marrow cells, though cord blood cells are viewed as more versatile because a perfect tissue match between donor and recipient is not necessary.

1988 – First successful cord blood transplant to regenerate blood and immune cells in Paris, France, on a six-year old boy suffering from Fanconi’s Anemia, a blood disorder.

1992 – The New York Blood Center established the first cord blood storage facility through funding provided by the National Institutes of Health.

1993 – First cord blood transplant takes place between a donor and recipient not related to one another.

1995 – First family cord blood storage facility opens.

1998 – 12-year old was the first successful transplant patient to benefit from using cord blood storage to cure sickle cell anemia. According to the National Cord Blood Program, one year after transplant, Keone was cured.

2004 – Health and Human Services Appropriations Act for Fiscal year 2004 provides funds to create a national cord blood storage program.

2004 – Illinois becomes first state to enact legislation to mandate that birthing women have the option to donate their baby’s umbilical cord blood to a public cord blood storage facility at no cost.

2006 – More than 8,000 cord blood transplants have been performed worldwide.

Moving Forward in Cord Blood Storage

In just 20 years the medical field has made incredible strides in treating life-threatening diseases, and in the case of cord blood stem cells the advances have been incredible. It is proven to be a safe procedure, and one of low-risk/high reward for the recipients. Stem cell storage continues to be a vital part of these advances and we look forward to what the future brings as more expectant moms opt for cord blood storage.

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The Life Saving Practice of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

June 27, 2010 By admin

The Life Saving Practice of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

Collecting cord blood stem cells has become a common practice in modern medicine and can be addressed by the OBGYN as the expectant mom during theCord Blood Being Collected first trimester of pregnancy. If you’re an expectant mom, undoubtedly health and wellness for you and baby are at the very top of your priority list, as it should be. When thinking about talking to your doctor or midwife about collecting cord blood stem cells, it’s understandable that you have many details on your mind. However, the life saving process of collecting cord blood stem cells is one of the most important contributions you and your baby can make to your family.

The Ease of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

First off – what does collecting cord blood stem cells entail? At the time of birth there is a golden opportunity to capture and harvest one of the human body’s truly restorative assets – stem cells from the umbilical cord blood. This blood has a particularly high density of a special type of blood cell, known as a hematopoietic cell, and in fact millions of cells are gathered in just 75 milliliters (about 1/3 of a cup), which is the average draw from the umbilical cord. This blood is transported to a lab and is frozen to the temperature of -190 degrees. These rich blood cells are frozen immediately in a cryogenic state.

If you are getting a little uncomfortable at the thought of an additional procedure, relax. Collecting cord blood stem cells is a painless process, and one that doesn’t interrupt or interfere with the baby’s delivery in any way. So take a moment to consider additional details about why collecting cord blood stem cells is such a life enhancing procedure.

What are stem cells?

In short, stem cells are the key components within the body for generating all other tissues, organs and systems in the body. Isn’t that remarkable? Stem cells in cord blood are the building blocks of the blood coursing through our veins and immune system. These cells are highly adaptable and can readily replicate into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. That’s why collecting cord blood stem cells is so vital.

Red blood cells are important because they carry oxygen to all the cells in the body; white blood cells are responsible for fighting infection; and platelets aid in clotting when you’re injured. With these prime components set aside for use at a later time, doctors (using stem cells) are able to help the body recover from diseases like leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, various cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic conditions and immune system disorders.

Important key points to remember concerning collecting cord blood stem cells, are first, the process of collecting cord blood stem cells is simple, second, the stem cells are key ingredients for generating all other tissues, organs and systems in the body; and third, their use is valuable in treating a litany of diseases.

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