Stem cells are immature cells that have the ability to grow into
any one of the body's cell types. They are either:
Embryonic—taken from aborted fetuses or
fertilized eggs left over from in vitro fertilization.
Adult—generally taken from
bone marrow, the soft tissue found in the bones. Adult
stem cells are also collected from the bloodstream and the
umbilical cord and
placenta.
Embryonic stem cells are most often used in research, and adult
stem cells are used in the treatment of disease.
Stem cells from bone marrow divide to make more stem cells that can
also develop into
red blood cells,
white blood cells, and
platelets. People with cancers such as
lymphoma or
leukemia may need donated stem cells to restore normal
red cell production and their immune system function after receiving radiation
and/or chemotherapy to treat the cancer.
Umbilical cord blood stem cells
Umbilical cord blood stem cells are harvested from umbilical cord
blood after a baby is born. Harvest does not affect the care of the baby or the
mother.
Stem cells from umbilical cord blood are usually used to treat
disease in a brother or sister or a child who would otherwise not have a stem
cell donor. Since there are so few stem cells found in cord blood, these cells
are not usually used to treat adults.
Umbilical stem cells are collected only if you request the
procedure well in advance of your delivery date. It is not a routine procedure.
If you are interested in donating your baby's cord blood, contact a stem cell
registry early in your pregnancy so that you can provide all the needed
medical information and sign the consent form.
Umbilical cord stem cells are less likely to result in
graft-versus-host disease after a transplant. In this disease, the newly
transplanted cells may destroy the other cells in the host's body because the
cells do not match the others well enough.
Harvesting umbilical cord blood stem cells
Before harvesting umbilical cord blood, you will be asked whether
either parent has a family history of or has been exposed to diseases that
might be transmitted through cord blood. You will also be asked to sign a
consent form to allow collection of the blood.
A sample of the mother's blood is taken and tested for infectious
diseases, such as
hepatitis,
syphilis, or
HIV infection.
Umbilical cord blood is drawn from the umbilical cord and
placenta after the cord has been clamped and cut. Although stem cells are
concentrated in cord blood, few cells are collected because the total amount of
blood is small. The stem cells are usually frozen for later use.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. For more information, click here.
