The Complete Guide To Cord Blood Banking: Pros, Cons, Costs And Basics

The Benefits Of Cord Blood Banking

The benefits that come with cord blood banking are often associated with the cord blood itself. Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which are the building blocks of blood as well as the immune system. They can repair damaged cell tissues, develop into other types of cells and be used to treat various medical conditions.

Doctors have been known to use stem cell therapy in patients with leukemia to help create a new immune system, thus giving them a better chance of making a full recovery. Matching patients with cord blood is much more accessible when compared to other sources of stem cells because there is a reduced risk of the patient's blood rejecting the transfusion.

Medical Concerns Associated With Cord Blood Banking

There are still a number of disadvantages associated with cord blood banking. Some of the difficulties include; the volume of cord blood collected is minimal, hence fewer stem cells available for transplantation as compared to the number of cells collected in customizable harvests. Also, cord blood transplant patients are susceptible to infection during the first three months after the procedure. The risk is higher in older individuals who require an increased number of stem cells. Donor cells in the case of cord blood come from infants who will not be available for an additional donation of bone marrow or stem cells. Should the procedure fail, one would have to obtain a cord blood unit from a different donor.