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Expectant parents considering private cord blood banking services have an important new option to consider: Placenta-derived stem cell banking. This major advancement in the collection of non-embryonic stem cells enables parents to bank both cord blood stem cells and stem cells obtained from the placenta.
At this point in time, placenta-derived stem cell banking is something new and unknown to many parents. To help you learn more about this important medical innovation and what it can mean for your family’s future health, here are answers to commonly asked questions from parents-to-be interested in banking their baby’s cord blood and placenta-derived stem cells:
What are placenta-derived stem cells and how do they differ from cord blood stem cells?
Placenta-derived stem cells are those stem cells which are found primarily in the placenta. They are non-embryonic stem cells, as are those obtained from umbilical cord blood.
The placenta is a rich source of CD34+ hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells, like those found in cord blood. Research has shown that these primitive cells, which are available in higher concentrations in the placenta than in cord blood, can transform into other cell types including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The placenta is particularly valuable for therapeutic purposes because of the high concentration of CD34+ stem cells that can be obtained from it.
What are the benefits of banking both placenta-derived and cord blood stem cells?
The benefit of collecting and storing stem cells at birth is that, should the child (or perhaps another family member) develop any of certain rare, often fatal diseases, the child’s stem cells may be used in a transplant that can help in restoring the patient’s health. This has particular relevance for persons of ethnic minority descent and those of mixed ethnicities who may have a harder time finding a transplant match. By banking both placenta-derived and cord blood stem cells, you are helping to better prepare and protect your baby and family for the future.
Collecting stem cells from both the placenta and umbilical cord blood may significantly increase the total number of stem cells banked, potentially doubling the number of CD34+ stem cells stored (compared with cord blood banking alone). Should the stem cells be needed, increasing the total number of CD34+ cells available for transplant may improve the likelihood of successful engraftment, and with it, the likelihood of successful transplant.
Moreover, in cases where HLA compatibility between recipient and donor is not perfectly matched, a larger dose of CD34+ cells can partially overcome the negative impact of HLA disparity on survival and steps can be taken to reduce the possibility of rejection.
Do many companies bank placenta-derived stem cells?
No. Traditional cord blood banking includes the collection of CD34+ stem cells from the blood drained from the umbilical cord and placenta. These are not the same as placenta-derived stem cells, which require a separate collection process.
Using a patented technology, LifebankUSA is the first company to offer placenta-derived stem cell collection and storage, and it is the only company that offers the Placenta•Cord™ banking service.
What is Placenta•Cord™ banking?
The most significant recent breakthrough in stem cell banking, Placenta•Cord banking separately collects and stores stem cells from two sources – both the placenta and the umbilical cord.
With Placenta•Cord banking, the process for collecting the placenta occurs at the same time as the cord blood collection, right after childbirth. The healthcare provider places the intact placenta in the collection kit provided by LifebankUSA, along with the bag of cord blood, and the kit is sent to LifebankUSA’s AABB-accredited facility. LifebankUSA then uses a proprietary process to extract the stem cells from the placenta before they are cryogenically stored.
To learn more about Placenta•Cord banking, visit www.lifebankusa.com or call 1-877-LIFEBANKUSA (1-877-543-3226).
About LifebankUSA TM
LifebankUSA is one of the largest cord blood banks in the world, and has provided cord blood banking services for thousands of families worldwide. LifebankUSA is also the world's first bank to offer families the new option to collect and preserve stem cells derived from the placenta as well as the umbilical cord (Placenta · Cord™ banking) for hematopoietic reconstitution. In addition to being the world's first Placenta · Cord banking company, LifebankUSA is committed to being at the forefront of research and development to help ensure a more promising future for both placental and umbilical cord blood stem cell therapeutics.
LifebankUSA is registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), accredited by the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks), certified by ISO (International Organization for Standardization), and hold all necessary state licenses.
The chance that a child will use his/her own stored cord blood stem cells during his/her lifetime is estimated at 1 in 400 (J.J. Nietfeld and F. Verter). These odds may increase if there is a family history of certain blood disorders or cancers. The potential risks and benefits of stem cell transplantation vary and depend on many factors, such as the amount and quality of the cord blood stem cells collected, the HLA compatibility between recipient and donor, and the client’s overall health.
This article is copyrighted for and by LifebankUSA. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part and may not be posted on other websites, without the express written permission of the author who may be contacted via email at lifebankusa@digitalbrandexpressions.com.
About R.L. Fielding
R.L. Fielding has been a freelance writer for 10 years, offering her expertise and skills to a variety of major organizations in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare fields. She lives in New Jersey with her dog and two cats and enjoys rock climbing and ornamental gardening.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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