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The cord Blood which was discarded soon after the birth of a baby is regarded as a life saving device for the future generations of a family. It has thereby become imperative to save the precious blood which is rich in stem cells necessary for the treatment of several life threatening diseases. In the past ten years, several cord blood transplantations have been performed worldwide as an alternative for treating cancer and serious genetic disorders. The first cord blood transplant was done in 1988

There are various sources of retreiving stem cells and Umbilical cord blood is one of the three sources for obtaining the blood-forming cells used in transplants. The other two sources are bone marrow and peripheral (circulating) blood. It is collected at the time of delivery after the birth of the baby. The blood from the cord is collected carefully by the hospital staff who are trained in the service. It is then tested, frozen and stored at a cord blood bank for future use. The stored blood is called a cord blood unit (cbu).

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry includes more than 70,000 cbu. Doctors search the NMDP Registry of adult marrow or peripheral blood cell donors and cbus to find a suitable HLA match for their patients who need a transplant. If selected, the matching blood is transfused to a patient. The transplant process is the same as for marrow and peripheral blood cell transplants

The use of cord blood transplants has grown for both children and adults. It is used more often in children because an umbilical cord holds a limited amount of blood. The number of blood-forming cells in a transplant should match the size of the patient - usually younger patients need fewer cells and older patients need more cells. Some cbus may not have enough blood-forming cells for some patients.

Doctors are trying different ways to increase the number of cells in a cbu so they can use cord blood for larger patients. One method being studied is to give a patient two units. Another method being studied is to grow the number of cells in a in a laboratory before giving it to the patient.

When your doctor searches the NMDP Registry, he or she will choose the best cell source for you. That may be marrow or peripheral blood from an adult donor or it may be a cb unit. A doctor might choose cord blood because of some of the ways it differs from marrow or peripheral blood.

A close match between the patient and the donor or cbu can improve a patient's outcome after transplant. Even though a closely matched one is always preferred, clinical studies suggest the match may not have to be as close as is needed for marrow or peripheral blood transplants. It can take two months or more to find an unrelated marrow or peripheral blood donor. A unit can be selected and delivered to the transplant center in less than two weeks. Your doctor may choose cord blood if you need a transplant quickly.

However there are chances that your doctor might not approve of Cord blood transplantation. The possible reasons for this are:

There may not be enough blood-forming cells in a unit for the size of the patient.

It usually takes longer for cord blood cells to engraft (begin to grow and create new blood cells and an immune system). Until the cells engraft, the patient is at a high risk for infection.

Patients cannot get backup cells from the same cbu. If a patient's transplanted marrow or peripheral blood cells do not engraft or the patient relapses, the patient may be able to get a second donation from the same adult donor. After a transplant, this option is not available. However, doctors may be able to use a different unit or a backup adult donor instead.

Cord blood transplants also have all the same risks as marrow and peripheral blood transplants. The risk of infection may be higher after a cord blood transplant because of the longer time to engraft.

If you have questions about whether a cord blood transplant is right for you, talk with your doctor. Every patient's situation is different. Your transplant doctor knows your situation and can help you make choices about your treatment.

cord blood plays a vital role in the treatment of life-threatening blood diseases. In such a case cord blood transplant may be an option.