Mothers Deliver the Gift of Life Twice Through Cord Blood and Babies

<p>After the birth of a baby, a remarkable substance remains in the umbilical cord and placenta: cord blood. This substance is rich in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), building blocks that can be molded into all sorts of blood cells. </p> <p>In most people, making stem cells isn’t an issue. Unfortunately, others cannot make enough healthy stem cells because of serious medical conditions, but the stem cells from cord blood can be lifesaving. This precious resource can be used to treat cancers, immune deficiencies, and genetic disorders.</p> <h2>The science behind cord blood</h2> <p>HSCs in cord blood are similar to those found in bone marrow but are easier to collect and are less likely to be rejected in transplants. HSCs can differentiate into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and we can use these to regenerate damaged or diseased bone marrow and immune systems.</p> <figure><img src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/8dnNl7ivdn/thumbnail.jpg" alt="Blood stem cell developing into white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets | Source: National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)" /> <figcaption>HSCs developing into white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. <em>Source: National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Collecting cord blood is a simple and safe process that happens right after childbirth. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and the blood is collected from the umbilical vein using a sterile needle. This blood is then processed and stored in specialized cord blood banks.</p> <h2>Medical applications</h2> <p>Scientists have found that cord blood can be used in upward of 80 different diseases. Below are some of the main applications.</p> <h3>Hematologic diseases </h3> <p>Cord blood is mostly used to treat blood disorders (hematologic diseases) such as leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia. The HSCs in cord blood can restore healthy blood and immune system function, offering a life-saving option for patients with these diseases.</p> <figure><img src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/MANW02INol/thumbnail.jpg" alt="White Blood Cells in Leukemia | Source: Scientific Animations, Inc." /> <figcaption>Leukemia. <em>Source: Scientific Animations, Inc.</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>Genetic disorders</h3> <p>Kids with metabolic disorders like Krabbe disease are common beneficiaries of cord blood transplants, which provide them with the enzymes they lack. In Krabbe disease, dangerous amounts of lipids (fatty substances) build up in cells and tissues throughout the body and destroy brain cells. </p> <p>Hurler syndrome and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) are examples of other genetic disorders treated using cord blood.</p> <h3>Regenerative medicine</h3> <p>Regenerative medicine is focused on repairing, regenerating, or replacing damaged or diseased cells, tissues, and organs. It combines different approaches including stem cells, tissue engineering, and gene therapy to stimulate your body's repair mechanisms or to create new tissues and organs in the lab.</p> <p>The potential of cord blood in regenerative medicine is vast and still being explored. There is hope it could be used to treat complicated conditions like cerebral palsy and Type 1 diabetes. The unique properties of stem cells make them promising candidates to repair damaged tissues and organs. </p> <h2>Advantages of cord blood</h2> <p>Stem cells can be found in other sources like bone marrow, but the ones we get from cord blood carry several advantages.</p> <h3>Better compatibility between donors and recipients</h3> <p>Cord blood contains all the natural elements of blood and is an abundant source of blood-forming stem cells. This is similar to what you get in bone marrow, but the difference is that cord blood stem cells don’t require as close a match between donors and recipients. </p> <h3>Ease of collection</h3> <p>Cord blood is much easier to collect. It doesn’t pose a threat to the mother or baby as the process is non-invasive. </p> <h3>Rapid availability</h3> <p>Stored cord blood can be readily available for transplantation, eliminating the time required to find a compatible donor.</p> <h3>Lower risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)</h3> <p>Cord blood transplants are associated with a lower risk of GVHD, a condition where the donor cells attack the recipient's tissues.</p> <h2>Cord blood banking</h2> <p>Cord blood banking exists to save this extremely valuable resource for future use, whether for a stranger or the family. Banking that blood is entirely optional, so you can choose to keep it, donate it, or let it be thrown away. </p> <p>There are two types of cord blood banking:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Public banks.</strong> These banks accept donations and make the stored cord blood available to anyone in need. Donations are free and contribute to a communal pool of resources.<br /><br /></li> <li><strong>Private banks.</strong> These banks store cord blood for the exclusive use of the donor’s family. While there is a fee for collection and storage, this option ensures that the cord blood is readily available should a family member require it.</li> </ul> <h2>Ethical and practical considerations</h2> <p>Using cord blood raises several ethical questions. </p> <p>First, there is the issue of consent. We must ensure that mothers who sign up do so via informed consent that is obtained without coercion. Mothers should be given enough time and space to make this decision with a clear head. </p> <p>Second, who owns the blood? Is it the child, the parents, or the institution that stores it? This raises the issue of who gets to decide when and how the cord blood is used.</p> <p>Next, you have equity and access. Not everyone can afford to go into private cord blood banking because it can be expensive. That makes it a privilege not afforded to poorer families who may miss out on the benefits. Private banking also prevents this precious resource from becoming a pooled resource available to anyone who needs it.</p> <p>Finally, cord blood used in research to develop new treatments for medical conditions must be used transparently and responsibly. </p><h2>More on Cord Blood</h2><ul><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/jk7qbgqtbm-cord-blood-banking" target="_blank">Cord Blood Banking: Basics, Purpose, Procedure</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/oja887z04w-stem-cell-basics" target="_blank">What Are Stem Cells and What Do They Do?</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/7m7qxkkspj-blood-stem-cell-transplant" target="_blank">Blood Stem Cell Transplant: Basics, Planning, Process</a></li></ul>