Onm-19: The Role of Cord Blood Preservationin Cell Therapy

s:3604:"During pregnancy, the placenta delivers "cord blood" to the baby through the umbilical cord serving as a lifeline of nourishment from the mother to baby. At birth, "cord blood" remains in the umbilical cord and placenta and until recently, had typically been discarded. The tragedy of this practice is that "cord blood" contains very special cells called "stem cells". Recent advances in medical research, have allowed us to identify stem cells as the building blocks of every type of cell in our bodies.In light of these and other recent advances in medical research, people have started saving or "banking" their baby's cord blood. Cord blood can be collected both at vaginal delivery and in connection with Caesarean section. Cord blood is collected from the remains of the umbilical cord. Remains that would have otherwise been discarded immediately after birth. It is collected with a syringe by puncturing the umbilical vein immediately after the umbilical cord has been clamped, cut, and cleaned with antiseptic solution. Cord blood is a very rich source of stem cells. This very rich source of stem cells must be collected at birth or it is lost forever. If your child or someone else in your family develops a life-threatening and/or debilitating disease or condition, they may be considered for a stem cell transplant. Banking your baby's cord blood ensures that you will have your family's stem cells readily available as a life-saving resource.Umbilical cord blood stem cells are the "most immature," available form of stem cells that are genetically unique to your baby and to your entire family. Cord blood derived stem cells are also free of controversy associated with embryonic stem cells, another type of stem cells. Storing these cells essentially stops the clock and prevents aging and damage that would normally occur to cells as they age. A third type of stem cells is adult stem cells, such as those found in bone marrow. Bone marrow stem cells are “older” stem cells, and are less desirable as a treatment option because they are 1) less readily available as they more difficult to harvest (involves putting the donor’s life at risk), 2) less suitable for other family members (degree of match has to be greater because these cells are older and 3) are associated with poorer treatment outcomes. Medical Uses: The following conditions are currently being treated with stem cells. Cord Blood derived stem cells are an area of intense ongoing research. The list of diseases treated with stem cells is growing daily. Any disease which requires the regeneration of tissue (due to injury or disease) is a potential candidate for stem cell therapy. Hemoglobinopathies/Blood Disorders: Sickle-cell anemia, β thalassemia. Inborn Errors of Metabolism: Adrenoleukodystrophy, Batten disease, Gunther disease, Hunter syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Lesch-Nyhan disease, Tay-Sachs diseaseImmunodeficiencies: Chronic granulomatous disease, Common variable immune deficiency (CVID), Omenn’s syndrome, Severe combined immune deficiency (SCID and SCID-ADA), Reticular dysgenesis, Thymic dysplasia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, X-linked lymphoproliferative disease, Bare lymphocyte syndrome (MHC class II deficiency), Leukocyte adhesion deficienc Other diseases: Evans syndrome, Familial erythrophagocytic hemophagocytic, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, Osteopetrosis. Heart regeneration to repair injury due to heart attack.Brain regeneration to repair injury, due to stroke, heart attack, Alzheimer's";