Is it necessary to store umbilical cord blood?

Jul 16, 2020 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Xiuyan
Introduction
Is it necessary to store umbilical cord blood? Umbilical cord blood refers to the blood remaining in the umbilical cord after delivery and clamping. It can be used to treat various hematologic disorders; therefore, storing umbilical cord blood is advisable. Its unique value lies in its rich content of hematopoietic stem cells, which can be utilized to rebuild the blood and immune systems.

Umbilical cord blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord after the baby is delivered and the cord is clamped and severed. Cord blood can be used to treat various hematologic disorders, making its preservation highly advisable.

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The unique value of umbilical cord blood lies in its rich content of hematopoietic stem cells, which can reconstitute the blood and immune systems—offering significant therapeutic potential for leukemia and other inherited diseases affecting the blood and immune systems.

The likelihood of successful use of cord blood among biologically related family members ranges from 25% to 50%. Thus, if a family member suffers from a serious hematologic or immunologic disorder, storing cord blood increases the chances of finding a suitable donor within the family.

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Umbilical cord blood can be stored long-term without exposure to radiation, medications, toxins, pathogens, or other environmental contaminants. It is readily available for immediate use, offering convenience and speed. Moreover, when used for allogeneic transplantation, cord blood elicits fewer immune rejection reactions, and the incidence and severity of graft-versus-host disease are lower compared with bone marrow transplantation.

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