R. Haley
Jan 1, 1997
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Journal
Immunohematology
Abstract
Cord blood banks are institutions designed to store umbilical cord [3] blood (UCB) stem cells [4]. UCB, a source of hematopoietic stem cells [5] (HSCs), has garnered attention from scientific and medical communities since its first successful use in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in 1988. The umbilical cord [3] is the lifeline by which the growing fetus [6] is nourished by the mother. Once regarded as medical waste, the umbilical cord [3] has become a source of lifesaving treatment. The extraction of HSCs from umbilical cord [3] is non-invasive since the umbilical cord [3] is delivered immediately after the baby exits the womb [7]. The most common application of umbilical cord [3] blood derived stem cells [4] is in unrelated (between donor and host) HSCT. Since these cells are not often needed at the time of delivery, cord blood banks have been established to preserve these cells for future use. In addition to harvesting a supply of cells for treatment, UCB stem cells [4] can be used in research.