The Doors Opened by Cord Blood

Cell therapy gives hope to many people around the globe fighting different health conditions and terminal illnesses. Stem cell therapy endeavours to restore and regenerate cells that have been damaged or destroyed by diseases. Although these techniques are still relatively new, their applications and scopes put them at the pinnacle of bio-medical research. Today, researchers are battling conditions like diabetes, cerebral palsy and autism. All this has been possible only through the huge stock of cells made available via stem cell banking.

Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes

The world’s first clinical study to prevent or delay the onset of type 1 diabetes was conducted in Australia, using umbilical cord stem cells. Since then, numerous studies have been conducted all over the world. The hope is that by injecting these unique immune cells into the patient, the disease could be corrected and even prevented entirely.

Hope for Autism

Autistic children are found to have diminished oxygen supply to specific areas of the brain and suffer from immunologically centred inflammatory conditions. A breakthrough in bio-medicine occurred when mesenchymal cells were found to regulate the immune system. This line of research is said to be a ray of hope for many children suffering from autism, who are all now relying on donor matches from public cord blood stem cell banking.

Cerebral Palsy Treatment

This is a condition that relates to permanent physical disability, caused by damage to a developing brain. In their urge to find a viable solution, scientists tested the scope of cord blood in counteracting this condition. Although treatments like controlled hypothermia have shown some success, stem cell research in this field, shows a more promising path. Within a matter of six months, children in the clinical trials have shown a leap of improvement, and this just highlights the need for stem cell banking.

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What is Umbilical Cord Blood Banking?

This technique involves the storage and collection of a newborn’s cord blood and tissue, for preserving it with continuous reliability over a long period of time. Need for this arose as a result of the immense potential linked to cord blood cells and numerous cord tissue banking benefits, in short, translating to the hope of regenerating damaged and infected organs, cells and tissues.

How is Cord Blood and Tissue Collected?

Cord blood is extracted immediately after birth, using a quick and painless procedure. After the umbilical cord is cut, the blood is drawn out from the cord using a needle and a special collection bag. The tissue in the cord lining is also extracted for preservation as an extension of the cord blood collection process. It is done by cutting a segment of the umbilical cord, after which it is stored in a sterile container.

How are the Collected Samples Processed?

This refers to the process of separating the stem cells from the cord blood, so as to produce a sample that can be safely stored and used in clinical procedures. Even the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urges that the cord blood unit should be reduced to a stage where there is low plasma and red blood cells, prior to cryopreservation. This will reduce the chances of future complications and fully promote the linked cord tissue banking benefits.

Patented Technology Linked to the Collection of Cord Blood

Many cord blood banks have strategically partnered with research institutes to use patented technology during cord blood extraction. CellOptima™ is one such proven technology that safely enables the extraction of cord blood cells and tissues.

Storage of Cells and Tissue

After the samples have been collected and processed, the unit is ready for cryopreservation. No matter how the sample unit has been processed, cryopreservation is added to it to ensure that the cells can survive through the cryogenic process. The unit of cells is cooled slowly to a temperature of -90°C, after which it is transferred to a liquid nitrogen tank, to be kept frozen at -196°C. The slow cooling process is important so that all the cell and cord blood banking benefits can be extracted at a later date.

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The use of embryonic cells was looked down upon by various medical and religious societies, on the ethical ground that man does not have the authority to destroy human life and that embryos also have rights, since they are the beginnings of human life.

Volume of Storage Brings Hope

Today, the storage of umbilical cord stem cells is a huge industry. Just looking at the staggering numbers in the USA is enough to prove its humongous size. Almost 1.15 million cord blood units are being privately stored in American cord blood banks, and each unit contains approximately 60ml of cord blood.

However, to qualify for donation in a public bank, a single unit of cord blood should weigh 144gms or close to 89 ml. Today, there are nearly 200,000 units stored in public banks in the US. And because there is no dearth of cord blood for research, scientists have been able to discover some life changing uses for it.

Current Uses and Research

Today, cord blood has been used successfully used in treating conditions cancers of the blood and immune system, lymphomas, bone marrow cancers, leukemia, sickle cell disease, Fanconi anemia and inherited blood abnormalities.

Results have been more prominent in children than adults. This is mainly because adults require at least two units of cord blood, as opposed to one unit in children, who are much smaller.

So, apart from research on treating conditions like diabetes, cerebral palsy, autism, heart condition, AIDS and other such disease; research is also being focused on trying to draw more number of umbilical cord stem cells for a single cord. Multiplying them to give a larger unit base is a priority for researchers right now, so that there are sufficient stem cells for the treatment of an adult.

Whether you choose to donate or bank your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells privately, it is crucial to understand that it provides a base for numerous life-saving treatments, both now and in the future. The possibilities of this rich resource will continue to expand through the years.

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The foetus in the womb receives nourishment through the placenta, which is attached to the uterus wall. This placenta is connected to the baby by way of the umbilical cord. After the infant’s birth, this cord is clamped and cut away, leaving behind a small stump.

A baby’s stump will automatically drop off in just about a week’s time. When the baby is born, a plastic clamp or a tie is usually out on the stump to help it heal. This tie is left on for a few days until it dries and seals itself; eventually it will shrivel up and then drop off. There will be a small wound that will soon heal in a couple of weeks.

How Should I Care for My Baby’s Stump?

Regardless of whether you have chosen to store the baby’s stem cells, the umbilical cord stump has to be kept clean and dry to prevent any sort of infection. Here are a few recommendations that you can use while taking care of your child.

1. While giving your baby a bath, it is safe to get the stump wet and this will not slow the healing process.

2. Your baby’s stump can be washed with plain water. If required, add a mild and unperfumed baby soap or a pH neutral baby cleanser to the bathwater. Gently pat the stump with a soft towel or cloth to get it dry, before putting on a diaper or nappy.

3. Using an antiseptic is not required. It is quite sufficient if it is left clean and dry. The use of antiseptics might cause the stub to take longer to fall.

4. Always ensure that you handle your infant’s stump with clean and dry hands. It is a good idea to wash your hands every time you want to handle your baby.

5. Avoid dressing you child in tight body suits. Have them wear loose t-shirts to allow sufficient air circulation, which will speed up the drying process. Ensure that you tuck the diaper or nappy below the umbilical cord stump.

6. Let the stump come off naturally. Do not pull it off even if it is just hanging by a thread. Doing this might cause the region to get inflated or swollen.

7. When the stump eventually falls off, you might spot a little blood. This is completely normal and can be cleaned when you give your child a bath.

Umbilical cord stump infections are quite rare, but be sure to contact your doctor if there is any swelling or redness around that area or if the stub becomes weepy, along with emitting an odour.

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~ JK Rowling, British writer

There is no dearth of information, when it comes to advancements in stem cell therapy. It can certainly be overwhelming to read through complex medical terminologies, which can prove to be quite confusing for many. Starting from the basics will definitely make things much more comprehensible.

This therapy is a set of techniques that endeavour to restore and regenerate cells that have been damaged or destroyed by disease. Although these techniques are still relatively new, their applications and scope have attained ground breaking proportions. Rightly said, this form of treatment is at the pinnacle of bio-medical research.

Top Ten Things about Stem Cell Therapy

Although stem cell therapy is still in its nascent stages, researchers have discovered that these treatments are effective for many diseases. Stem cells have been used in the treatment of leukaemia and other cancers, Parkinson’s disease, immunity disorders and anaemia, to name a few.

Here is a list of things that one ought to know about such therapies:

1. There are many varieties of stem cells found in the human body. Each has its own use.

2. A single variety of cells will not work for a multitude of diseases or disorders. For example, hematopoietic cells can regenerate only blood.

3. Accepted therapies are not large in number. This is because clinic trials continue to be restricted. Stem cells therapies are still in the experimental stages.

4. Physical changes do not imply success of a treatment or therapy. So, be careful of clinics that advertise their competence merely through patient testimonials.

5. Science is a long and difficult process. Even if the basic sciences of such treatments are established, developing them into successful treatments will take a lot of trial and error, which would be a time consuming process.

6. These cells require complex instructions about what they are expected to do and how they are expected to behave.

7. Risks are involved in any such medical procedure. Every patient is different, so there are chances that the treatment process and outcome might vary for each person.

8. Unproven treatments might not be successful. There cannot be any guarantees about any therapy’s success.

9. An experimental treatment does not automatically mean that it might be a part of a set of clinical trials. You should be careful that such treatments have passed clinic trial stages.

10. Stem cell therapy is constantly moving forward and researchers are very optimistic that they will soon be available for treating a range of human conditions and disorders.

Although this type of treatment remains a new science, scientists see wide scope, which drives the phenomenal advances in this line of bio-medicine.

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Stem cells banking can help save vital cells that are present in our own body, which can then be used to treat terminal or chronic illnesses, with the potential of saving a person’s life.

What Are Stem Cells?

First, it is essential to understand what stem cells are. These can be found in any multi-cellular organism and are fairly new born cells. They are characterised by their ability to regenerate themselves and their potential to renew through mitotic cell division and differentiate into any specialised type of cell. There a variety of such cells that can be extracted from the human body. For instance, the ones present in the bone marrow are called Hematopoietic cells, which can develop into new red blood corpuscles.

People with certain diseases like cancer, anemia, blood immunity disorders and other such conditions, can be injected with these stem cells to replenish blood that might have been destroyed or damaged by their illness. Stem cell banking possibly gives the person the best chance of survival when faces with life threatening diseases.

What is Cord Blood and Why is it Banked?

Cord blood is the blood that is left in a newborn’s umbilical cord blood and placenta. This blood is a rich source of potentially lifesaving stem cells. Extracting cord blood is a simple and painless process that is done immediately after a baby’s birth. Experts say that cord blood stem cell banking might be a wise decision for future medical uses.

Although both the bone marrow and umbilical cord blood contain identical varieties of stem cells, those harvested from the latter are said to be a “better variety.” A cell from the cord blood is fairly immature, increasing their chances of regeneration and acceptance in the human body when used in treatments.

Gynaecologist Dr Sonal Kumta, at Regenerative Medical Services, affirms that more parents should opt for stem cell banking. Cord blood is stored through cryopreservation in specialised laboratories.

Cord blood banking is a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve a vital and significant biological resource for future use. It helps protect one from a variety of incurable diseases; the trials for many of which are still in progress but the future is definitely promising.

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Is this Procedure Ethical?

Cord blood stem cells that are drawn from a baby’s umbilical cord, are often surrounded by political and ethical debates. Unfortunately, this had given rise to many misconceptions about cord blood banking and many parents dism iss the idea all together, since they cannot make an informed decision. Doctors and scientists continue to insist that parents should consider stem cell banking to store this resource for the future.

We understand that the decision to save your child’s cord blood can be a confusing decision with so many opinions surrounding it. Here are a few facts, which we think will debunk some common myths and misconceptions about the procedure.

Top Five Cord Blood Myths Debunked

Forget the idea that stem cell therapy is a theory from a science fiction movie. This research has been at the forefront of biomedicine for over 20 years and can potentially save lives.

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In many countries, the government still doesn’t allow clinical trials in certain areas of bio-medicine, limiting the scope of research. The policy largely differs from country to country, and in some places the policies are still being developed to support all types of stem cell research.

Research around the World

Here’s a look at the current scenario of cord blood research across the world:

1. In July 2014, Researchers at John Hopkins Medical Hospital cultivated a three-dimensional complement of the retina, which contains photoreceptor cells that respond to light. Although the project is still at an early stage, it promises clinically grown retinal replacements.
2. In June 2014, a team from Duke University, USA started clinical trials to explore the use of stem cells from umbilical cord blood as treatment for autism. The trials will involve injecting a dose of the child’s own cord blood, collected and preserved at birth.
3. In Japan, scientists have discovered that human skin cells can be reprogrammed to act like embryonic stem cells. The research started in November 2007 and is still ongoing. It is believed that this study will quell the debate over the destruction of embryos for the purposes of drawing embryonic stem cells.
4. Singapore is called ‘Asia’s stem cell center,’ boasting 40 research centers dedicated to bio-medical research using embryos that are not more than two weeks old. Also, clinical trials involving umbilical cord blood are being conducted for many ailments. Such research and trials have not as yet been authorized in many countries.
5. Countries such as India, China, South Korea, Israel, Spain, Italy, Sweden and Germany actively conduct research on therapeutic cloning. Clinical trials are also being conducted for treating terminally ill patients using embryonic stem cell therapy.
6. In 2002, the research on stem cells crossed earthly limitations with experiments that where designed by South African researchers. Research and experiments were and are still being conducted in the international space station to study the development of stem cells in zero-gravity.

Stem cell research using adult cells, embryonic cells and especially umbilical cord blood, has given hope around the world for people suffering from heart diseases, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, spinal cord injuries, and retinal diseases. It would definitely take a couple of years to establish them as safe treatments, but there is hope none the less.

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Easy Dietary Changes that can Help with Anemia

These are not long-lasting solutions like the cord lining blood treatments, although these home remedies have proved useful, especially when anemia is not severe. These recommendations can also be followed as a precautionary measure.

1. Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, fenugreek, coriander and parsley, are great sources of iron and folic acid. They can be included in your soups, curries and salads.
2. Dates are a great source of Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C and iron, which makes them a great remedy for anemia. While you can eat them as a snack, they can also be used in desserts and cakes or added to chutneys.
3. Apple-Beetroot juice is also recommended as part of one’s daily diet. Apples are a great source of iron, while beetroot is an excellent source of folic acid, fiber and potassium. Together, they would double your chances of fighting the ailment.
4. Tomatoes are a great source of Vitamins A, C and K. Consider substituting your daily quota of tea/coffee for Tomato-Apple juice.
5. Try to cook in iron pots, since they significantly help increase the amount of iron in your food.
6. To get the maximum benefit from your iron pills and iron-rich food, take Vitamin C pills or drink orange juice, along with your meals to help absorb the iron content. Stem vegetables also help retain the iron content in your food.

When advance treatment is required, a good option is consider treatment with stem cells from cord lining. As soon as a child is born, his or her umbilical cord lining can be stored in special banks and used whenever the need arises for the treatment of various diseases of the blood and immune system.

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Donor stem cells are extremely hard to find and match. So, doctors are urging patients to use stem cell banks in India to store one’s own umbilical cord blood before the onset of diseases. With this being the scenario, people still have numerous apprehensions about this procedure. Here are a few facts that might prove useful in helping you make an informed decision.

Four Facts you need to Know

There are various types of stem cells, each having a purpose of their own

For example, the hematopoietic stem cells (blood forming cells) are used to regenerate blood, while neural ones are used to regenerate brain cells.

A single variety of these cells wouldn’t work on a series of unconnected diseases.

With reference to the above example, hematopoietic cells cannot be used to regenerate brain cells. So, it is unlikely that a single string of cells would help with several conditions.

Stem cell banking is a simple and fairly painless procedure

Blood from the umbilical cord of a new born baby is usually collected when the cord is severed after birth and frozen for long-term preservation in specialized labs. However, before using stem cell banks in India, it is important to discuss your decision with your doctor, given that there are varieties of stem cells that you might need to preserve.

For successful treatments, stem cells need to be instructed as to how they should behave

This is proving to be one of the greatest barriers that researchers need to cross to establish successful treatments. For example, neural cells need to be grown into specific types of neurons to treat specific conditions. They also need to know what other neurons they need to make connections with for the treatment to actually work.

Scientists and researchers claim that stem cell therapy is continuously moving forward, building hope for a promising future. Stem cells banks in India are reliable and use only cutting edge technology to ensure the best preservation of your cord blood. So, if you have a family history of terminal illness, it is a good idea to use such a facility at the earliest.

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Like most parents, when you decided to have kids, nuances in finance might have been the last thing on your mind. The role of parent to your little bundle of joy was your primary focus and now that the little ones are growing up fast, it is a good idea to start making some crucial decisions on financial investments, insurance covers and the much talked about cord blood banking.

Ways in Which You can Secure Your Child’s Future

There are three primary areas that you should seek to secure for your child – Life, Health and Future. It is important to start planning each of these areas at an early stage. Here are a few recommendations that might prove useful for you:

1. Life: A sound financial plan for their education, daily care and other activities.
2. Health: Medical Insurance cover and the latest Umbilical cord blood banking.
3. Future: Getting Life Insurance to cope with any future uncertainties.

Financial Planning

1. Investing in mutual funds is a great way to get the dice rolling.
2. SIP and fixed deposits are a smart choice when there are funding problems. They are less risky and yield good returns.
3. Opening a savings account in your child’s name and contributing a stipulated amount every month will prove immensely useful in the long run.

Umbilical Cord Blood Banking and Health

1. This was a fairly alien concept till a couple of years ago in India, but is becoming rapidly popular.
2. Collection and private storage of cord blood when the child is born is built around the possibility of its use either by the same child at a later date, or a sibling or another family member.
3. Diseases such as lymphomas, leukemia, sickle-cell anaemia, aplastic anaemia, immune deficiency disorders in your family history doubles the chances of your offspring being affected. Cord blood could prove to be a life saver in such cases.

Insurance Cover

1. Investing in medical insurance can save you extra stress during a health emergency.
2. Getting life cover has the dual benefits in terms of both savings and security.
3. A big advantage of child life cover is that the premium is relatively low because of the young age of the insured.

No matter where you start, the universal mantra is to start early. This will help you save more without having less money for everyday expenses.

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*Terms and conditions apply. Cordlife India reserves the right to amend the stem cell banking price plans without prior notice.

Additional facilitation charges for hospitals need to be paid by client if applicable.

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