Conservation of stem cells from umbilical cord blood

Stem cells are immature primitive cell types that have the ability to divide and create another cell like itself and also divide and create a cell more differentiated than itself. These cells are the most important mean the human body has to regenarate its tissues and once they specialize, they replace those cells that are nearly ending their life cycle.
Their preservation represents a resource of utmost importance as it has been shown that thanks to these cells it is now possible to successfully heal severe diseases that in the past did not leave any hope to survive.

Stem cells and umbilical cord

Stem cells are mainly found in the spinal cord and in the umbilical cord blood. Umbilical cord blood is rich with blood-forming cells that are no longer needed by the baby after delivery. They are more vital and active and have major capacity to develop into different kinds of tissue. It is also easier to extract them and their collection does not entail any invasive intervention on the mother as well as on the baby.
For this reason today new mothers increasingly are deciding to preserve their newborn’s stem cells as this could be the only solution he or any other genitically compatible relative have to heal in case they are hit by a life-threatening disease.

There are subjects that are more at risk and may have higher chances to need these cells in the future, particularly:

- Families that have a genetic predisposition to diseases that can be treated and healed only by using stem cells.
- Babies born thanks to the fertilization in vitro as in this case it is extremely difficult finding suitable donors.

How are the stem cells collected and preserved?

Collecting and preserving stem cells from the umbilical cord blood is very easy.
Indeed, at the moment of birth it is sufficient to use a simple Umbilical Cord Blood collection kit to take a sample that will be sent to specialized laboratories to be processed and stored in liquid nitrogen.
It is important to restate that the process is simple and painless to you and your baby and takes a maximum of 10 minutes.
Afterwards you will be free to take care of your baby, start the breastfeeding and go back home with your baby in the pram only after a few days of rest in the hospital.

Where to carry out the blood drawing

Those mothers that intend to preserve the umbilical cord stem cells have to inquire about this practice in the hospital they will give birth in especially if it supplies this blood collection service. If there is the possibility to do it, you can forward the inquiry so that the staff can get everything prepared at the moment of delivery.
Unfortunately, this practice is not sufficiently widespread in all the countries and hospitals all around Europe; furthermore even in the hospitals that supply this service, it is not conveniently suggested nor signalled by doctors and nurses. For this reason, we suggest you discuss carefully and timely the collection with your midwife or doctor before you actually give birth.

EU Directives

The European Union Tissue and Cells Directives (EUTCD) set out to establish a harmonised approach to the regulation of tissues and cells across Europe. The Directives set a benchmark for the standards that must be met when carrying out any activity involving tissues and cells for human application (patient treatment). The Directives also require that systems are put in place to ensure that all tissues and cells used in human application are traceable from donor to recipient.
EU Directives allow umbilical cord blood storage in Private Banks that collect donated cord blood from pregnant mothers and couples that recognize that their newborn’s cord blood can potentially save his life and store it cryogenically.

Since the practice of the umbilical cord blood storage could be very expensive, in the last few years many associations are born to help poorest families to get access to cryopreservation of their baby’s stem cells. Indeed, considering that it is an expense made once for 20 years of preservation, many mothers consider it a real life insurance and they are even ready to reduce family expenses or to buy cheaper baby products just to take advantage of this opportunity.