Common Misconceptions About Cord Blood Banking

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Cord blood banking can be a life-saving decision
for your child and the family. When making this
decision you need to be sure about all the pros
and cons. Unfortunately, there are lots of
misconceptions surrounding stem cell banking.
Some of them are 1. Misconception Stem cell
therapy is still in the experimental phase. Fact
Stem cell therapy is no longer in the
experimental phase. More than 30,000 umbilical
cord blood stem cells transplants have been done
worldwide. Umbilical cord blood is an accepted
source of stem cells for a blood transplant
patient. Umbilical cord blood is frequently being
used to treat blood-related cancers such as
leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell diseases. It
is also being used to treat inherited genetic
disorders, bone marrow disorders and other
immune-related diseases. 2. Misconception Cord
blood is not a preferred source of stem cells for
transplants. Fact Umbilical cord blood is a rich
source of stem cells. Newborn stem cell banking
can help the family of the baby access cord blood
more easily than extracting it from the bone
marrow of a donor. The process to get stem cells
from a donor is a lengthy process that involves
consent, compatibility testing and harvesting.
Valuable time gets lost in this. Cord blood can
be availed of easily from newborn cord blood
banking than looking out for a donor for bone
marrow with compatibility.
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3. Misconception Cord blood donors are easily
available and there is no need for cord blood
banking.
Fact In India, it is difficult to find donors
easily. There is a long queue of patients seeking
donors. Finding a donor can also be an expensive
affair. The cost of one unit of stem cell can be
anywhere between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh.
Therefore, even if a match is found, many
patients are not able to afford the treatment.
Therefore, investing in newborn cord blood
banking will help you access the stem cells
whenever needed at a cheaper cost.
4. Misconception Collecting cord blood can
intervene during the process of delivery of a
baby. Fact Cord blood collection does not
intervene during the process of delivery of a
baby. The umbilical cord blood is collected after
the baby is born by clamping and cutting the
umbilical cord. The process is safe for both
normal and C-section delivery. Usually, the
umbilical cord is discarded after the birth of
the child but in newborn cord blood banking, the
same is collected and preserved.
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5. Misconceptions All cord blood banks are the
same. Fact All cord blood banks are not the
same. There are two types of cord blood
bankspublic banks and private banks. Public
banks allow parents to donate the umbilical cord
blood of their baby, which is then mainly used
for research purposes. At private banks, you have
the option to save the umbilical cord blood of
your newborn at a cost and access it whenever
needed if at all. While choosing a private bank
for baby stem cell storage, check the
certification, technological expertise and safety
standards followed by the bank.
Remember, a small investment in newborn cord
blood banking today can save your childs life
tomorrow. Therefore, bust all myths and make an
informed decision.
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Source https//www.cordlifeindia.com/blog/common-
misconceptions-about-cord-blood-banking/