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Is
Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Right For You?
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by:
Alli Ross
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Saving your baby's umbilical cord blood
allows it to be cryogenically stored, and then available if your child
later becomes sick and needs a bone marrow transplant. Umbilical cord
blood was discarded until the 1970's, when researchers discovered that
umbilical cord blood could save lives under certain circumstances.How
do you decide on cord blood banking? Many soon-to-be parents ask this
very question. Here are some things to consider when deciding on
whether or not to bank your baby's umbilical cord blood.
This type of transplant would be 'autologous' and is different than the
more common 'allogenic' transplants that might be done from a sibling
or other relative or an unrelated donor. Our own blood is the best
choice for a transplant.
Often times, cord blood banking can save a baby's life. But still,
there are many other factors to consider. Price seems to be the number
one roadblock, with the complete cost being around $3,000. So, you
should certainly not feel guilty if you cannot bank your child's cord
blood. Should you even consider cord blood banking? That part will be
up to you.
However, if you already have a child or family member that has a
condition that can be treated with a stem cell transplant (such as
sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, aplastic anemia, leukemia, metabolic
storage disorders and certain genetic immunodeficiencies), then you
defenitely should consider banking your child's umbilical cord blood.
However, the average baby without risk factors has a very low chance of
ever needing his or her cord blood.
On the other hand, some doctors and researchers support saving
umbilical cord blood as a source of blood-forming stem cells in every
delivery. This is mainly because of the promise that stem-cell research
holds for the future. The majority of people would have little use for
stem cells now, but research into the use of stem cells for treatment
of disease is ongoing - and the future looks promising.
You may also want to donate your baby's cord blood. This is possible
through non-profit cord blood banks that use it for research or to save
the life of another child.
Overall, cord blood banking looks to have a promising future. It's
defenitely an option you should look into. After you've studied the
facts and your family history, you should be able to make a much more
informed decision on what's right for you.
About the author:
Find out more about
Cord Blood Banking at the Baby Names Box .
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