The umbilical cord contains millions of cells that can be collected and stored at birth, as protection against over 85 potential diseases and conditions. Cells in the umbilical cord are shared between mother and baby during pregnancy, making them a 100% match to the baby and a 25% match to any siblings. If collected and stored at birth, cord cells can have numerous medical uses for your children.
How HSCs and MSCs work
HSCs and MSCs can be found in various body tissues: blood, muscle, skin, bone marrow, nerves and the liver. The key property of all of these cells is that they are undifferentiated, meaning they can replicate endlessly and replace/renew many types of damaged cells in the body. In fact, they can divide and replicate over 200 types of specialist cells that are linked to the function of your immune system, heart, oxygen distribution and much more.
With this power to renew damaged cells that are so crucial to our body’s health, it comes as no surprise that HSCs and MSCs are currently used in over 85 standard uses. These include:
Leukaemia
Anaemia
Bone marrow cancer
Lymphomas
Inherited immune system disorders
Inherited metabolic disorders
Inherited red cell abnormalities
Solid tumours (outside the blood and immune system)
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Phagocyte Disorders
If HSCs are collected and stored by a professional cell bank, they can be used to tackle all of the conditions above plus many more.
Introduction to cord blood banking.
Discover the benefits of umbilical cord blood cells, and why they should be stored at birth.
What makes umbilical cord cells special?
The umbilical cord is the richest and purest source of life saving cells. It contains two types of cells: Haematopoietic cells (HSCs) and Mesenchymal cells (MSCs). Each type can transform into different cells and tissues, such as white and red blood cells, nerve and muscle tissue.
Collecting umbilical cord cells is completely non-invasive and pain-free, compared to bone marrow apheresis cells which require hospitalisation. They are also completely ethical to collect.
If you are considering cell banking for your baby, umbilical cord HSCs and MSCs are your best option. The rich source of pure or “naïve” cells it contains give your baby a stronger chance of success if used medically. They are perfectly matched to your baby and can by cryogenically frozen for 25 years or more. As scientific research improves, there are more discoveries being made where umbilical cord cells can help tackle life-affecting diseases and conditions – including very promising trials into autism.
Without collecting HSCs and MSCs, the umbilical cord would simply be discarded, so the sample collection process doesn’t interfere at all with your birth. Thanks to the DNA link to the mother, umbilical cord cells have a 25% chance of being a suitable match for a sibling.
Why choose Future Health?
Once you’ve decided that Cord Blood Banking is for you, you then need to decide which biobank you’re going to trust with your baby’s sample. Here’s why we think you should choose us;
One of the world's most accredited cell banks
Dedicated medical courier
Free release and shipment of your sample worldwide
