umbilikaaliverestä

Umbilikaaliveri, also known as cord blood, is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. It is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which are a type of stem cell that can develop into all types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These stem cells have the potential to treat a variety of serious diseases, such as certain types of cancer, blood disorders, and immune deficiencies.

The collection of umbilical cord blood is a simple and painless procedure performed shortly after the birth of a baby. The blood is drawn from the clamped umbilical cord and then processed and stored, typically in a cord blood bank. This stored blood can then be used for transplantation if the child or a compatible recipient develops a condition that can be treated with hematopoietic stem cells.

There are two main types of cord blood banking: public and private. Public banking involves donating the cord blood to a national or international registry, where it can be used by any patient in need. This option is usually free for the donors. Private banking involves storing the cord blood specifically for the donor family's potential future use. This option incurs storage fees.

The use of umbilical cord blood for transplantation has been established for decades, offering a valuable alternative to bone marrow transplantation. Research continues to explore the therapeutic potential of cord blood stem cells for a wider range of conditions.