Cord blood bank

Cord blood bank refers to the storage facility where umbilical cord blood is kept for future use. Cord blood, rich in stem cells, is collected after the birth of a baby and can be used in the treatment of various genetic disorders, blood disorders, and immune system deficiencies.

Collection and Storage

The collection of cord blood is a quick and painless process that takes place immediately after the birth of a baby. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and the remaining blood in the cord is collected in a bag. This blood is then sent to the cord blood bank where it is processed and cryopreserved for future use.

The storage of cord blood in a bank is a form of biological insurance. It can be stored in two types of banks: public cord blood banks and private cord blood banks. Public banks store donated cord blood for use by anyone who needs it, while private banks store cord blood for personal or family use.

Uses

Cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which can generate all the different types of cells in the blood and immune system. This makes cord blood a valuable resource for transplant medicine. It is used in the treatment of over 80 diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia.

Controversies

Despite the potential benefits, there are controversies surrounding cord blood banking. These include ethical issues related to private banking, high costs, and the likelihood of needing the stored cord blood.

See Also

• Stem cell transplantation
• Umbilical cord
• Blood donation

References

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