Is it necessary to preserve umbilical cord blood?

Nov 05, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Lu

Introduction

In general, umbilical cord blood may be worth preserving if there is a family history of genetic disorders or immune system diseases. If there is no such family history, routine preservation of umbilical cord blood is usually unnecessary. If any symptoms arise, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive standardized treatment under the guidance of a physician.

Generally, if there is a family history of genetic disorders or immune system diseases, it may be advisable to preserve umbilical cord blood; if there is no such family history, preserving umbilical cord blood is usually unnecessary. If any symptoms arise, individuals should seek medical attention promptly and receive standardized treatment under the guidance of a physician. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If there is a family history of genetic disorders or immune system diseases, preserving umbilical cord blood can provide an additional safeguard. This is because the stem cells in umbilical cord blood have a high degree of compatibility with the individual and can be used to treat blood disorders, immune system diseases, and other conditions. Moreover, beyond personal use, umbilical cord blood may also benefit other family members or even the broader community, especially when stored in public cord blood banks.

If there is no family history of genetic or immune system disorders, preserving umbilical cord blood may not be necessary. Preserving cord blood involves significant costs, including expenses for collection, testing, and long-term storage. Additionally, with advances in medical technology, bone marrow and peripheral blood have become common and relatively low-cost sources of stem cells, making them viable alternatives to cord blood.

If cord blood preservation is desired, pregnant women are advised to undergo comprehensive health checkups during pregnancy, maintain good physical health, and contact professional institutions prior to collection.

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