What are cord blood stem sells?
Cord blood is blood that remains in the umbilical cord following the birth of a baby and after the umbilical cord is cut. During pregnancy, the umbilical cord functions as a lifeline between mother and child. After a baby delivery, the cord blood present in the umbilical cord could offer hope for the child and maybe members of the family.
Cord blood is a rich source of Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs), which are primarily responsible for replenishing blood and regenerating the immune system. They have the unique ability to differentiate into various cell types found in blood as depicted in the diagram below:
- Red blood cells - which transport oxygen
- White blood cells - which produce antibodies and fight bacteria
- Platelets - which assist blood clotting
What does cord blood stem cells do?
- Replace and regenerate damaged or diseased bone marrow
- Treatment for blood cancers
- Correct genetic defects (sibling/allogeneic transplantation)
- Potential for cellular therapy and regenerative medicine
Can I store my baby's cord blood if my blood sample is tested positive for Hepatitis B?
You may still continue to store your baby’s cord blood (with additional consent given to Cordlife), or elect to discard the umbilical cord blood unit.
Cordlife conducts two different tests for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) on maternal blood, namely:
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody (Anti-HBc (Total))
Usually, the attending transplant physician will make the decision whether to use a cord blood unit where the maternal blood was tested positive for Hepatitis B for transplant, based on various factors particular to the patient, the cord blood unit intended for use, and the availability of other HLA-matched donor.