Benefits of Storing Your Baby’s Cord Blood
Before delivery, the mother’s body prepares itself for labor and child-birth through maternal-fetal transfer that boosts the immune system. Cord blood is the blood found in the umbilical cord and placenta after the delivery and has exceptional medical capabilities.
This blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells and offers multiple benefits. The blood is collected, processed, and cryogenically frozen to be used in case of future medical emergencies. Hence, cord blood banking serves as biological insurance that protects your child from numerous future ailments.
Originally, the cord blood was discarded after the delivery. However, due to increasing awareness about cord blood banking, parents are now storing the stem cells of their children with reliable institutes. Before you make the decision yourself, here are a few benefits of stem cell banking that can help you in the process.
1) Treatment of various diseases
A cord blood transplant can help your child in the fight against numerous diseases. Stem cells help in speedy recovery by replacing the damaged cells with new healthy cells.
At present, cord blood can help in the treatment of 80 rare diseases. Some of the ailments where cord blood banking can be helpful are leukemia, different types of cancer, sickle cell anemia, and other metabolic disorders.
2) Future potential for medical advancement
There are immense medical benefits to storing the stem cells of your child. The good news is- there is potential for even more.
Various studies are being conducted to understand the possible benefits of cord blood banking. Cord blood can cross the blood-brain barrier and decrease inflammation. Also, studies are aimed at finding the regenerative properties of these cells.
As per the researcher, cord blood can be used in the treatment of diseases like cerebral palsy, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
3) The collection processes
Cord blood banking is a convenient procedure that does not harm the mother or baby in any way. After you have decided to store the cord blood of your child, all you need to do is register with a reliable cord blood bank.
The bank makes all the arrangements for the collection, processing, and storage of stem cells. The process is non-invasive and does not cause any pain or discomfort.
The blood is collected from the umbilical cord after it is clamped and cut. Hence, the process of cord blood collection is very convenient.
4) Family history of rare disease
Having a medical history of rare diseases puts your child at a greater risk. In such a case, cord blood banking becomes quintessential to protect your baby from these ailments.
Also, if one of the parents is adopted and the complete family history is not known, you should store the cord blood of your child with a private bank.
5) A perfect match
Finding a biological match for cord blood transfusion from unrelated buyers is very difficult. However, Stem cells from your child’s cord blood are always a perfect match.
Hence, the chances of them being rejected for transfusion are less. However, in the case of genetic disorders, the stem cells cannot be used as the genetic mutation could also be present in the stem cells at the time of birth.
6) Benefit for other family members
If you have another sick child or a family member who is suffering from a disease where stem cell transfusion can be helpful, you must opt for cord blood banking. The siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match and a 50 % chance of being a partial match.
Also, parents have a 100% chance of being a partial match. Hence, storing the cord blood of your child can also help other family members.
With affordable cord blood banks at $19.99 per month, you can store the stem cells of your child with a private cord blood bank and ensure their future health.
Now that you are aware of all the benefits of cord blood banking, you can make an informed decision about the cord blood of your child.
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