Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Therapy

The umbilical cord which connects the mother to her baby in utero and placenta is a rich source of stem cells. Stem cells can transform into cells of any tissue and are used for the repair and regeneration of tissues. These special cells can be harnessed from the blood in the umbilical cord and placenta and used to treat various degenerative conditions, injuries and certain types of cancer.

The umbilical cord and placenta is usually discarded after birth, but may be used to obtain stem cells with prior consent from a donor. Cord blood is obtained soon after birth and does not cause any harm to the mother or baby. Once obtained, the stem cells are concentrated and developed into a biologic therapy which may be cryopreserved or frozen for later use. In certain cases, children can receive their own stem cells. Stem cells derived from the cord blood are more viable and have better adaptive and regenerative capacities than stem cells from other sources.

The stem cell mixture may be applied topically or injected into the deep tissues. Besides stem cells, cord blood contains growth factors, proteins and other extracellular components which facilitate the healing process, reduce inflammation and act as a scaffold for new tissue growth.