Stem cell banking is one of the most
important tasks you can undertake in the lifespan of your child, with profound
impacts on his health and that of close relatives.
Stem cells are miracles unto
themselves; in many ways, they hold the key between life and death. Since they
are uniquely capable of reproducing themselves and even turn into other types
of cells, the benefits of
banking stem cells are truly immense from a medical
standpoint.[1]
It is possible to source adult stem
cells for use in bone marrow transplants, but it is often a lengthy process to
find a matching donor. Then, the donor must be prepared for the process prior
to the surgery with medication. In some cases, the host may reject the
transplanted stem cells, too. Increasingly, parents are looking to bank their
baby’s stem cells by banking the baby’s cord blood at birth.
Stem cell banking benefits extend to
the baby as well as immediate family members, such as siblings. Stem cells
sourced from umbilical cord blood may prove to be highly useful in the
treatment of many blood- and autoimmune disorders, since they are
Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs), which have the potential to regenerate the
human immune system.
Broadly, the following are the benefits
of stem cell banking:
- Stem cells sourced from umbilical cord blood can help the baby and his siblings. The umbilical cord blood and placenta of a new born baby are rich resources of stem cells. Stem cells are also found in adult bone marrow. However, families with a history of incurable cancers, for example, may benefit immensely from cord blood stem cell banking. Cord blood stem cells carry a genetic connection and can be used to treat siblings of the baby when needed.
- Stem cells from cord blood can treat 80 serious diseases. Today, it is known that cord blood stem cells can treat 80 serious diseases. However, the stem cells may be sourced from umbilical cord blood or adult bone marrow. The benefits of stem cell banking today are also being explored for other incurable diseases such as Diabetes, as also neurological deficits that result in the Autism Spectrum Disorders. To a lesser extent, skin stem cells are also used to treat burn victims in the USA. In the future, stem cells may be used to regenerate damaged tissues in the heart and lungs.[2]
- Umbilical stem cells show lower propensity for rejection. Graft Host Rejection (GHR) is an eventuality that many doctors grapple with after transfusing donated stem cells to a patient. However, stem cells sourced from cord blood are less prone to causing GHR in the patient, and hence, the chances of the operation becoming successful are also enhanced.[3]
- It is easy and affordable. There are many certified cord blood banks in India which operate using state-of-the-art collection and cryogenic storage processes. However, there are not many public stem cell banks yet. Meanwhile, the private cord blood banks offer parents many affordable payment options and packages, while also efficiently coordinating the cord blood collection and storage post the birth.[4].
[1] http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/features/banking-your-babys-cord-blood
[2] Barrandon, Yann, ‘What diseases and
conditions can be treated with stem cells?’
[3] ‘Cord
blood banking: What is it, why consider it?’, http://www.babycenter.com/0_cord-blood-banking-what-it-is-why-consider-it_1362261.bc#articlesection3
[4]
Cordlife India, https://www.cordlifeindia.com/price-and-enrolment
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