Cord blood, also called ‘placental blood’, is blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth. Umbilical cord is the connecting cord from the developing embryo or fetus to the placenta which is normally discarded after the birth of the baby. Cord blood is normally discarded with the placenta and umbilical cord.

During pregnancy, the umbilical cord functions as a lifeline between mother and child. The cord blood present in the cord could offer hope for the child or members of the family. The umbilical cord blood consists of variety of cell types including Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and Embryonic-like stem cells (ESC), a proven resource for treatment of certain diseases.

Umbilical cord consists of cord lining and Wharton's jelly. It contains a higher concentration of mesenchymal and epithelial stem cells than cord lining as the cells will be derived from both cord lining and Wharton's jelly.

Cord blood stem cell transplants have better success rates than bone marrow transplants and are preferred because these cells are young.  It has also been scientifically found that cord blood stem cells have better tolerance of HLA mismatches. Thus cord blood can make a difference between life and death in difficult transplants.

• Thousands of families are banking their newborns' cord blood because it contains stem cells that are unique to the newborn, and genetically related to their families.

• Cord Blood stem cells have been used for decades in lifesaving treatments for diseases including leukaemia, other cancers, and blood disorders.

• Cord blood stem cells are showing significant potential to treat conditions that have no cure today - like juvenile diabetes and brain injury.

• For use in regenerative medicine therapies using cord blood, the child's own stem cells are required.

• For treating cancers and blood disorders in transplant medicine, having the family's own cord blood available may offer significant advantages if ever needed, including fewer complications, improved survival, and a better quality of life without the need for continual anti-rejection medications.

• Cord blood banking enables parents to preserve these precious stem cells for their own potential use for the many developing applications of stem cell technologies, such as its use in treating heart disease and diabetes.

• It also serves as a type of safeguard in case of future need for treatment of the dozens of cancers and blood disorders that are already being treated with cord blood stem cells.
• There is a good possibility that Cord Blood stem cells of the infant might save the life of another family member, especially a sibling. Because of the genetical component involved, it might prove to be a perfect match for a sibling or other very close blood relatives.

• Again due to the same reason, it is a perfect solution for genetically inherited diseases. It will serve as a boon for treating diseases which have been in the family for long time and have been unfortunately passes to the next generation.

• Cord Blood offers a new alternative for such disease ridden families who might otherwise be medically advised to adopt a child.