Stem Cells and Umbilical Cord Blood
Our bodies originate from a single cell that is formed by the union of sperm and egg and develops under protection in the womb. The originating cell establishes all the tissue and organ systems that allow the adult individual to survive. In this case, the stem cell is a cell that can transform or become a source rather than a single or group of cells that proliferate.
The first cell or group of cells formed in the womb form the functional outline of each tissue and organ during the baby's development and the source cells that will ensure the lifelong continuity of the formed tissues. During the first days and months of pregnancy, the group of cells known as pluripotent (unlimited potential) cells, which form the placenta together with the baby's body tissues, turn into multipotent (limited potential) and progenitor cells as tissue-organ outlines form. This group of cells takes part in the mass growth of the body with age and in the repair of wear and tear after illness or accidents. They take on the task of regaining our hair and nails, our shedding skin, and our sense of taste lost due to hot or cold nutrition (our lost taste perception cells) after each cut.
The comprehension of this extraordinary process carried out by stem cells in the adult stage has been provided by studies that started in the 1960s and have been accelerating and increasing in depth until today. A better understanding of stem cells and their functions has provided solutions to known incurable and even fatal diseases. The biggest step taken in this direction is bone marrow transplants that started in the 1970s. Bone marrow transplant is a stem cell transplant. Stem cells obtained from healthy individuals and transferred to the patient are a source of healing in blood cancers, hereditary blood diseases and many other fatal diseases. In short, stem cell applications have been in use as a treatment prescription for over thirty years.
The most commonly used source in stem cell treatments is bone marrow. However, with the learning of new sources of stem cells that are more easily accessible, the priority in the use of bone marrow is losing its importance.
Stem cells can be obtained from the baby's own blood, the umbilical cord blood, which is the baby's own blood that accumulates in the placenta that is discarded after birth. Moreover, it has been understood that stem cells that can be easily obtained from this source can be used more safely in treatments compared to bone marrow stem cells.
Advantages of Cord Blood Stem Cells Over Bone Marrow
The collection of stem cells from the bone marrow is a painful surgical procedure and requires a long preparation period. The chance of finding a donor from outside the family who is 100% compatible with the patient is one in a million.
Cord blood stem cells can be collected without any pain or effort during birth. It is a suitable source for transplantation at any time without requiring any preliminary preparation. Since cord blood stem cells do not yet have a developed immune system, they can be transplanted safely without requiring 100% compatibility between the patient and the donor.
Diseases Treatable with Cord Blood Stem Cells
If the differentiated cells found in large numbers in our body are seriously damaged or diseased, they cannot be renewed naturally. Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells are used to create healthy and functional cells instead of these diseased or damaged cells. " They are widely used for treatment purposes in various types of cancer, especially blood and bone marrow cancers, and in cases of bone marrow and immune system insufficiency. Apart from these, they are used experimentally in 40 different disease groups.
How is Cord Blood Collection Done?
When the 32nd week of pregnancy is reached, the center that will store the cord blood must be determined and the cord blood collection kit and documents must be provided. The cord blood collection kit must be stored at room temperature until the moment of birth. When going to the birth, expectant mothers and fathers must have the necessary kits and documents with them.
Cord blood will be collected by the physician and/or the person in charge at the time of birth. Whether the mother gives birth naturally or via cesarean section will not make any difference to the cord blood collection process. The cord blood collection process does not cause any pain to the mother or the baby, does not pose any risk, and does not affect the birth process. The duration is approximately 3-5 minutes. The blood collected is around 60-120 ml. The collected blood is delivered to the cord blood storage center by the representative or the family within 30 hours at the latest. The cord blood must be stored at room temperature until it reaches the center.
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