No longer futuristic, these health options are available for this new generation of babies. He says, “We are confident in a very short time we will be able to have the same therapies approved for amniotic fluid stem cells.” Bassanini agrees but is quick to point out that bone marrow stem cells are widely used in treating patients and are similar to amniotic fluid stem cells. I would rather know we have it, and not need it than need it and not have it.”Ĭritics argue that banking amniotic fluid is still in its experimental stage. If that was the case, we may be able to use the amniotic fluid to build or produce some vital items she may need. Paolo Bassanini, Biocell Center general manager, says, “If you undergo a genetic amniocentesis, which is a routine procedure, you have the chance to collect one of the best types of stem cells available.”Įxpectant mom Beth Vardiman of Eastlake says, “We were having an amniotic test there could be something wrong with her. Miscarriages can occur because of infection in the uterus, when water breaks or labor is induced prematurely. There is a one in 400 risk of miscarriage associated with amniocentesis. Research shows that these cells can be potentially used to help treat future common injuries such as repairing cartilage for the knee, healing wounds or even grow a heart valve.Īmniotic fluid is collected during amniocentesis, and then stored. These multifunctional cells can grow into many different organs and tissues. Amniotic fluid stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells) differ from cord blood stem cells. New mom Stephanie Noncovich of University City, says “We are biracial and knew that if we ever needed cord blood for our daughter it would be hard to find a match.”Īmniotic fluid is the nourishing and protective liquid that surrounds the baby during pregnancy. “My goal and job is to build our inventory so the discrepancy between different ethnicities is no longer an issue” says Taylor. Taylor advises patients with a mixed background to privately bank because these types of units are more difficult to find in the public cord blood bank inventory. (StemCyte is the only public cord blood bank in California, and is currently doing public collections at Sharp Mary Birch.) To donate cord blood, a patient must deliver in a hospital where public cord blood collections are being done.
Karen Taylor, medical director of collections and education for StemCyte, tells patients they have three cord blood options: donating, private banking or medical disposal. Once it is entered in the public system, the blood is available to anyone who needs it.ĭr. Unlike private banks, public banks do not charge to collect cord blood they charge patients’ insurance company when cells are used. Public Cord Blood Banking Is Also Available They may be of value to a baby in future applications of regenerative medicine.”Ĭurrently there are ongoing clinical trials testing the use of a child’s own cord blood among children with cerebral palsy and type-1 diabetes. Morey Kraus, chief scientific officer for ViaCord, states, “Cord blood can be cryogenically stored indefinitely. Cord blood is retrieved from the umbilical cord after it has been cut, and is painless.
There are no health risks related to cord blood collection. Sibling collections are done when a child has a known transplantable illness such as leukemia and aplastic anemia.” Willert says, “Cord blood can also be used to treat siblings. Jennifer Willert, hematology/oncology specialist at Rady Children’s Hospital, says she frequently uses cord blood stem cells for treating patients with everything from leukemia to thalassemia. Cord blood stem cells are used to fight diseases and malignancies, autoimmune diseases like lupus, and inheritable diseases such as sickle cell anemia. These cells are the body’s building blocks for blood, organs, tissue, and the immune system and are genetically unique to each baby. Your baby’s umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells. Before you ask loved ones to help you bank your baby’s cord blood instead of buying booties you should know the facts. A decade ago, banking your baby’s cord blood or amniotic fluid may have seemed like science fiction, but today banking cord blood is so popular you can even list this service on your baby shower registry.
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