Giving their child the best start in life is a goal shared by all parents. The majority of choices, such as the proper diet, education, and surroundings, can be made gradually. However, there is one decision that can only be made at the time of birth, and it could safeguard your child and your family for many years to come. That decision is stem cell banking.
What Is Stem Cell Banking?
Stem cell banking, also known as cord blood banking, is the process of collecting and storing the blood from a newborn’s umbilical cord immediately after birth. The blood that remains in this umbilical cord after delivery is a rich source of hematopoietic cells, which have the potential to develop into all types of blood and immune cells, making them very versatile in treating various serious medical conditions.
The cord blood, which was earlier treated as medical waste and disposed of immediately after birth, is now collected and preserved under special conditions for later use. This process is known as stem cell banking. There are a few centres in India that specialise in stem cell storage and banking.
A Brief History
In 1988, the first umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant was performed. The recipient was Matthew Farrow, a six-year-old boy with a genetic bone marrow condition called Fanconi anaemia. His younger sister’s preserved umbilical cord blood provided the donor stem cells. Matthew’s prognosis was weak before the transplant, but today, even after 30 years, he is hale and hearty.
The process of cord blood banking was first established in 1993, and today almost five million cord blood units have been stored and banked across the world. 800,000 of these are stored in public banks, while over four million have been stored in private or family banks.
How Does the Process Work?
The collection process is quite simple, painless and quick. Here is how it is done:
Step 1 – As soon as the baby is delivered, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. The blood that remains inside the cord is collected and stored in a sterile bag. This is done in just a few minutes and poses no risk to the mother or the newborn baby.
Step 2 – The collected sample is transported to a certified cord blood bank under strict and controlled temperature conditions that are crucial for maintaining cell viability.
Step 3 – Once the sample reaches the laboratory, it is tested for any infectious agents and quality parameters such as total nucleated cell count, viable CD34, and the presence of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells. If the sample has a higher cell count, it is considered a good one for better transplantation outcomes.
Step 4 – Cord blood units are cryopreserved and stored in liquid nitrogen freezers in cord blood banks. These are preserved for the long term, keeping in mind that clinical utilisation may take place years after collection. Stem cells stored under proper conditions do not lose their potency over time.
What Diseases Can Be Treated by Stem Cells?
Cord blood stem cells are used worldwide to treat a range of serious conditions, including leukaemia, lymphoma, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, immune deficiency disorders, and certain cancers. Emerging research also shows promising results in treating cerebral palsy, autism, and brain injury.
Types of Cord Blood Banking
Families can choose from three primary stem cell banking models:
- Public Banking
Donating your baby’s cord blood to a registry so that it can be used by any matched patient in need is known as public banking. Although this option is free, it does not ensure that your own family will have access to those particular cells.
- Private Banking
Private banking enables families to keep their baby’s cord blood solely for their own use, for a fee. Families with a known history of blood disorders prefer it because it guarantees access.
- Community Banking
Families can access a larger, shared repository by pooling their stored samples under the hybrid Community Banking model. This raises the likelihood that parents, grandparents, siblings, and other members of the extended family will find a compatible match.
Wrapping Up
You will probably make thousands of decisions for your child during your lifetime. While most of them can be revisited or changed, there is 1 that cannot. Cord Blood Banking is a one-time decision and one-time opportunity that presents itself only during the birth of your child. If done at the right time, you will have the chance to protect not just your child, but every member of your family, if the need arises.
So, have you made that decision yet? While many brands offer Stem Cell Banking, LifeCell stands out with its unique Community Banking Programme. Unlike traditional private banking, LifeCell’s Community Banking Programme increases your chances of finding a compatible stem cell match by giving you access to a larger shared pool of stem cells.
