Umbilical cord blood

Umbilical Cord Blood

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is blood that remains in the placenta and in the attached umbilical cord after childbirth. It is collected because it contains stem cells, which can be used to treat hematopoietic and genetic disorders.

Collection

UCB is collected from the umbilical cord and placenta immediately after the baby is delivered. The process is generally safe and painless for both the mother and baby. The blood is then stored in a cord blood bank for future use.

Uses

UCB is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are primarily used in the treatment of blood and immune system related genetic diseases, cancers, and blood disorders. These include leukemia, lymphoma, and anemia, among others.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages of using UCB include the fact that it is readily available, has a lower risk of transmitting infections, and is less likely to cause graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) when used in transplants. However, the amount of blood collected is often small, which can limit its use in adults or larger children.

Research

Research is ongoing into the potential uses of UCB. This includes its potential use in the treatment of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, among others.

See Also

• Cord blood bank
• Stem cell transplant
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

References

Umbilical cord blood Resources
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