Köldökzsinórvér

Köldökzsinórvér, also known as umbilical cord blood, is blood collected from the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. This blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which are capable of differentiating into various types of blood and immune cells. Historically, umbilical cord blood was considered medical waste. However, its potential as a source of stem cells for treating a range of diseases has led to its preservation through cord blood banking.

The collection of köldökzsinórvér is a simple and non-invasive procedure performed immediately after the birth of a child. The blood is drawn from the clamped umbilical cord, either before or after the placenta is delivered. Once collected, the blood is processed, tested for infectious diseases, and cryopreserved for potential future use.

Köldökzsinórvér stem cells are currently used to treat several serious medical conditions, including certain types of leukemia, lymphoma, anemia, and immune deficiencies. The stem cells can be transplanted into a patient to regenerate a healthy blood and immune system. The use of a patient's own cord blood, known as autologous transplant, eliminates the risk of graft-versus-host disease, a common complication in transplants from unrelated donors.

There are two main options for storing köldökzsinórvér. Private banking involves storing the cord blood for exclusive use by the donor family, which incurs a fee. Public banking involves donating the cord blood to a public registry, making it available for matching with any patient in need, and is typically free of charge. The decision to bank cord blood is a personal one, with families considering the potential future medical benefits against the costs and probabilities of need.