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Stem Cell Preservation Process Must be Known by Parents

The building blocks of the body system such as the circulatory system and the immune system are the stem cells. They are the basic cells and are constantly making new copies and producing new cells that can make any other type of blood cells such as RBCs, WBCs, and platelets. However, insufficient awareness about the collection, processing, and storage of cord blood pushes several parents ahead from the storage of cord blood cells of their babies.

Method of cord blood collection after the delivery of the child does not possess any risk to the mother or the child. Prior to the storing of cord blood two essential steps are done:

• Collection – The preservation of umbilical cord blood stem cells can be considered as a safe method for both the women who are undergoing vaginal and cesarean delivery. However, if complications arise during the final stages of pregnancy, the cord blood bank and physicians may choose to abandon the cord blood collection plan. In addition to collecting cord blood cells from the umbilical vein, the mother’s blood is also collected according to regulations to detect some infectious diseases. The blood cells are then transmitted to the cord blood bank facility selected by the parents after collection. Then a few tests were done to analyze the presence of any kind of infectious disease.

• Processing – Samples are transferred to the laboratories within 36 to 48 hours of the collection after cord blood banking. In addition to ensuring infectious disease status, the processing part ensures that blood cells are eligible for transplantation in addition to autologous use on family members. Cord blood cells are depleted from red blood cells during processing. The next cord blood preservation procedure follows after cell processing. A cryopreserving substance is added to it when the unit containing cord blood cells is processed. Cord blood units are preserved in two compartments in special bags. One is for immediate use (if necessary) and the other is for expansion of stem cells.

Finally, according to medical experts, it can be said that stem cell preservation is the better and advanced method than any kind of health insurance. The reason behind this is it can help in treating various life-threatening diseases and gives a new life to the patients.