Cord Blood Banking: Preserving Life’s Gift for A Healthier Future

Abstract

Good health is one of life’s greatest treasures, and taking steps to preserve it should always be a priority. Thanks to incredible advancements in science, researchers have discovered a groundbreaking way to harness the power of stem cells from cord blood. These unique cells have the amazing ability to regenerate and adapt, offering hope for healing and recovery in ways we never imagined.Cord blood banking is a process that allows families to collect and safely store the stem cells found in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. These cells are rich in potential, capable of transforming into different types of blood cells. This makes them a powerful tool for treating serious conditions like leukemia, certain cancers, sickle cell anemia, and metabolic disorders.Stem cells from cord blood can also help rebuild healthy blood cells after treatments like chemotherapy, providing a new chance at life for those in need. Because cord blood shares many similarities with bone marrow, it has become a valuable and practical alternative for stem cell transplants, offering hope to patients and families around the world.

Keywords

Introduction

The birth of a child not only marks the beginning of a new life but also brings a remarkable opportunity to potentially save the lives of others (Amin et al., 2016). The umbilical cord, which symbolizes the deep connection between a mother and her child, holds both physical and emotional significance. As Kumarasamy and Muthulakshmi (2010) explain, cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after the baby is born. Once dismissed as a mere byproduct of childbirth, umbilical cord blood has gained recognition for its incredible richness in stem cells. These cells are the building blocks of the immune system and blood, offering immense medical potential. By preserving these valuable stem cells at birth, families can secure a vital resource for possible future treatments. Notably, cord blood stem cells are untouched by harmful environmental exposures, maintaining their purity and regenerative power (Biocell Cord Blood Awareness Month, 2020).

Concept of Umbilical Cord Blood Banking

The human body comprises over 200 types of specialized cells, each fulfilling unique functions. Unlike mature cells, stem cells have the extraordinary ability to self-renew, multiply, and develop into various tissue types. The discovery of stem cells is one of modern medicine’s most significant breakthroughs (Patyal et al., 2018).

In the past, umbilical cord blood was regarded as medical waste, but this perception changed in the 1990s. It was discovered that cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which are responsible for producing blood. These valuable stem cells can be collected from the umbilical cord after a baby is born, a process that is entirely safe for both mother and child. Throughout life, hematopoietic stem cells play a crucial role in maintaining a steady blood supply by generating red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (LifeCell, 2022).

The presence of stem and progenitor cells in cord blood was first proposed in 1974, and in 1983, the idea of using cord blood as a source for stem cell transplantation gained momentum. The first successful cord blood transplant was performed in 1988 in Paris, France, on a six-year-old child with Fanconi anemia. This groundbreaking procedure helped restore the child’s blood and immune system cells (Gluckman et al., 2005). Today, many parents choose to preserve their newborn’s cord blood due to its ability to transform into different cell types. This versatility makes it a promising resource for repairing damaged tissues, organs, and blood vessels, as well as treating severe and potentially life-threatening conditions (CryoCell International, 2022). To date, over 25,000 cord blood transplants have been successfully performed, and more than one million units are stored in both public and private cord blood banks worldwide. Cord blood is widely regarded as a safe and ethical alternative source of stem cells, offering numerous benefits such as donor safety, ease of collection, and fewer ethical concerns compared to other stem cell sources

DEFINITION
Cord blood banking involves the collection, separation, and cryogenic preservation of stem cells and immune cells from umbilical cord blood for potential medical use in the future. Cord blood is an abundant source of stem cells, which hold significant regenerative potential (CryoCell International, 2020).

Type of cord blood bank

Until recently, the concept of cord blood stem cell preservation was largely unfamiliar to the Indian population. However, with the advancements in regenerative medicine, more parents are choosing to store their newborn’s stem cells. In India, services for cord blood banking are offered by community-based banks, public banks, and private banks (LifeCell, 2020).

Advantages of Cord Blood Banking

• Minimal Requirement for Antigen Matching:

Cord blood stem cell transplants are increasingly preferred over bone marrow transplants because cord blood does not require an exact genetic match between the donor and recipient.

• Lower Rejection Risk:

Stem cells derived from cord blood are less likely to be rejected by the recipient's body compared to those from bone marrow. These cells can also enhance the immune system's ability to combat cancer.

• Simple Collection Process:

Collecting cord blood is a straightforward and painless procedure for the donor, unlike bone marrow collection.

• Safety for Mother and Baby:

The collection process poses no risk to the mother or newborn.

• Quick Processing Time:

Cord blood can be stored in specialized banks and made available as needed through cryopreservation.

• Cost-Effective Alternative:

Public donations of cord blood can save lives without the high costs associated with bone marrow collection.

• Reduced Infection Risk:

Using cord blood minimizes the chances of infection transmission.

Diseases Treatable with Cord Blood Stem Cells

Stem cell transplants from umbilical cord blood have shown success in treating numerous diseases, including cancers, genetic disorders, and immune system deficiencies. Conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, Fanconi anemia, thalassemia, and sickle cell disease have benefited from this treatment. Experimental therapies are also being explored for conditions like Type 1 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders (Zach Smith-NurseGrid, 2018).

Blood Volume Collection

The ideal volume of cord blood for family banking is approximately 60 milliliters (2 ounces). Despite the small sample size, it contains millions of cells, including about 1.8 million cells identified as CD34+ stem cells, which are critical for regenerative therapies (Benjamin Greene, 2019).

Cord Blood Banking Process 

Immediately after a baby’s birth and before the placenta is delivered, a healthcare professional collects cord blood by clamping and cleaning the umbilical cord, then drawing blood from the umbilical vein. Samples are tested for microbial contamination before being prepared for cryopreservation. A gradual freezing process ensures cell viability during storage, and families receive a detailed report and a preservation certificate within four to six weeks of collection (CryoCell International, 2020).

Ethical and Legal Considerations

Cord blood banking is widely accepted and does not present significant ethical concerns, as it involves no harm to the donor.

• Informed Consent: Parents must provide informed consent for cord blood collection and use.
• Confidentiality: Ensuring donor anonymity and protecting medical information is essential.
• Safety: Strict measures are in place to maintain the safety of stored cord blood and ensure the security of donor medical records.
• Research Applications: Beyond transplantation, cord blood stem cells are used for advancing medical research (Gluckman, 2000).

Evidence- Based Practice

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics has emphasized the importance of public cord blood banks over private banking unless a close family member suffers from a treatable condition. Cord blood transplants have lower risks of complications, such as Graft-versus-Host Disease, compared to bone marrow transplants. Research highlights its potential for treating cancers, immune disorders, and metabolic diseases (Sachdeva et al., 2016).

CONCLUSION
Since the first successful umbilical cord blood transplant in 1988, cord blood has emerged as a revolutionary alternative to bone marrow transplants. It offers unmatched accessibility, lower risks, and fewer requirements for donor matching. Today, cord blood transplants have saved thousands of lives, offering hope to children and adults with cancer, genetic conditions, and immune disorders. The preservation of cord blood stem cells ensures that future generations have access to life-saving therapies, underlining its significance in modern medicine

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