Newborn Stem Cell Preservation Guide or 101

Newborn stem cell preservation is the process of collecting stem cells from the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies and processing and preserving them for future use. Cord blood banks use low temperatures to preserve the biological properties of newborn umbilical cord blood stem cells. These storage places protect the newborn umbilical cord blood stem cells from contamination and degradation. Standardized and quality-controlled preservation procedures are required to preserve the cord blood stem cells for a long time so that they do not lose their integrity and properties.

How newborn stem cells are preserved?

Today, stem cells are widely used in treating more than 80 diseases. Preserving the umbilical cord blood stem cells can not only help your child but also their siblings and other members of the family. Presently, stem cells are used to treat certain kinds of cancer, autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, and neurological diseases. As per recent research, umbilical cord blood stem cells can be used to treat cerebral palsy, autism, and Parkinson’s diseases as well. Preserving your infant’s umbilical cord blood is like securing their future health.

The first step to preserving newborn umbilical cord blood is by registering with a cord blood bank. There are two types of newborn cord blood banks:

• Public cord blood bank: Here umbilical cord blood is accepted free of charge. However, you will not get any ownership of your donated umbilical cord blood. Therefore, in the future, if you require cord blood there is no guarantee that you will get access to your cord blood.
  

• Private bank: A private bank charges a fee to preserve the umbilical cord blood. Here you will have ownership of your umbilical cord blood. You can access it whenever you require.

Once you register with a cord blood bank, you must find a hospital that supports newborn umbilical cord blood collection. As soon as your newborn is born, the nurse or doctor will collect cord blood from the umbilical cord, which will be then sent to the cord blood bank for preservation after performing a series of tests. You will receive a registration and preservation certificate from the bank.