- The term "cord blood" is commonly used as a sort of shorthand for "umbilical cord blood." Such cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord after it is passed in birth and severed from the newborn infant. There are many promising medical uses for such cord blood, which is generally stored cryogenically for use in the future by either the baby or its immediate family member, who can also benefit from the cord blood for some medical treatments.
- Umbilical cord blood is currently used for many different medical purposes, with many more potential applications seeming promising. Cord blood contains a high yield of stem cells. These stem cells can be used to treat a number of different disorders but are currently most effective in helping patients recover from cancer treatments. Such stem cells are remarkable in their ability to help patients produce new bone marrow and blood cells after radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Stem cells from cord blood have many other possible applications that are being studied now, including their potential ability to help Alzheimer's patients and patients suffering from many other genetic diseases.
- The cord blood collection and storage process is generally referred to as "cord blood registry," and its initial costs can range up to several thousand dollars. There are also often yearly or monthly maintenance fees, depending on the plan a family chooses. Many companies allow for prepayment of such maintenance fees, along with the initial fee, and at a substantially reduced rate. Cord blood is removed from the umbilical cord and stored cryogenically in a blood bank until it is needed by the patient's family. As with any other such procedure, it's important to be certain that the company you choose is reputable and that they are fully licensed and insured.
