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Should parents save children’s cord blood?
Once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity
Precious Gift of Children
Cord blood is rich of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
A lifelong guard insurance for children himself and family
Most Asked Questions by Parent
Questions asked by parent when considering the cord blood banking.
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Most Asked Questions by Parent
What is umbilical cord?
Umbilical cord is the tube connecting the fetus and placenta. It contains rich sources of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and able to differentiate into various tissues and organ cells, including cardiac, nerve, cartilage / bone, muscle and epithelial cells etc. Researches showed that MSCs can stimuate body’s regeneration and the reaction of immune system It’s a multi-potential cell.
Although the research in umbilical cord MSCs is relatively late compared with cord blood , there are more than 1000 clinical trials underway using the same type of cell(primarily from bone marrow)6,7. Researchers believe that MSCs may help to treat various conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart failure, liver damage, and bone fractures in the future.
For more details about umbilical cord, please refer to What is Umbilical Cord.
Why storing umbilical cord?
The MSCs in umbilical cord are able to minimize Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD) in directed and unrelated allogenic cord blood transplants. It can be applied to chronic illnesses treatment,regenerative medicines as well as organ and tissue engineering. In addition, At present, there are more than 1000 MSCs clinical trials6,7, including stroke, spinal cord, injury, diabetes and bone fractures, etc. Researches of stem cells therapy are growing worldwide, where MSCs become mainstream research topic, the researches mainly focus on malignancy(cancer), neurological, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases, it demonstrates MSCs in umbilical cord can be used quite widely in medical aspect.
MSCs become the mainstream research topic for their great potential. Since no matching is required, MSCs can by used the babies, siblings, parents and even the grandparents. Therefore, parents should cryopreserve the primitive MSCs for future use.
Details of banking cord blood please refer to Why Storing Cord Blood.
What is the difference between cord blood and umbilical cord?
Cord blood and umbilical cord contain two different stem cells which are widely adopted in different medical aspects. Cord blood is a rich source of HSCs which can create the blood and immune cells. Cancers, blood-related, immunity and metabolic diseases can be treated by cord blood. Umbilical cord is a rich source of MSCs which can create structural and connective tissues. Apart from minimizing GvHD in directed and unrelated allogeneic cord blood transplants, MSCs can apply to chronic illnesses treatment, regenerative medicines as well as organ and tissue engineering. Since cord blood and umbilical cord are rich sources of different types of stem cells, they may help to repair the body in different ways.
How does the OG doctor collects umbilical cord?
Umbilical cord is collected after the infant leaves the mother’s body and the umbilical cord is cut, so the process of cord blood collection is absolutely safe and painless for both mother and infant.
For more details please refer to Umbilical Cord Collection Procedure.
How much does the umbilical cord storage service charge?
Entrusted by most parents in Hong Kong1, Healthbaby has a very comprehensive service coverage. Apart from the traditional liquid nitrogen storage plan, HealthBaby also pioneered to provide the advanced BioArchive® System. All storage plan of HealthBaby adopts the expensive liquid nitrogen as storage medium to provide the most stable tempertature for stem cell viability, providing the most quality umbilical cord and cord blood storage service.
To cater for different needs of clients, HealthBaby’s cord blood and umbilical cord storage plan have very flexible and comprehensive service plan. Regarding cord blood plan, clients could select the storage plan base on the storage and processing system needs. As for umbilical cord storage service, apart from the storage system choice, clients could also select the plan base on the processing system – keeping the different forms of cord based on budget.
The umbilical cord and cord blood service fee already includes registration fee, processing fee and 18 years storage fee, no any additional charge during the contracted year. Extra discounted would be provided for registering both umbilical cord and cord blood storage plan. HealthBaby existing customers and other cord blood bank customers could also enjoy special offers. Please contact us for deatils and any enquiries.
For more details of umbilical cord service plan please refer to Service Plan.
Storing Umbilical Cord to Provide Life – long Family’s Health
What is the difference of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells cryogenic storage / umbilical cord tissue cryogenic storage?
To cater to different needs of parents, HealthBaby provides 2 service plans.
- Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells cryogenic storage: Retrieve the most primitive mesenchymal stem cells first and make it readily to use instantly when needed.
- Umbilical cord tissue cryogenic storage: Dismember the cord and keep it at the primitive stage. When mesenchymal stem cells are needed, 45 days and HKD$40,000 payment are required for umbilical cord tissue thawing and culture process. For more details of service charge, please refer to Service Plan.
For more details about umbilical cord banking service, please refer to Service Plan.
Can family members use their child's mesenchymal stem cells for transplantation?
Family members can use child’s mesenchymal stem cells for transplantation, the most benefit of the mesenchymal stem cells are able to minimize Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD) in directed and unrelated allogenic cord blood transplants. Since no matching is required, mesenchymal stem cells can by used the babies, siblings, parents and even the grandparents. Therefore, banking cord blood stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells together can provide the greatest health insurance for the family.
Will umbilical cord collection harm the mother and the baby?
Umbilical cord is collected after the infant leaves the mother’s body and the umbilical cord is cut, so the process of cord blood collection is absolutely safe and painless for both mother and infant.
For more details please refer to Umbilical Cord Collection Procedure.
Which hospital in Hong Kong could help collecting umbilical cord?
Since public hospitals are facing the medical staff shortage, they are unable to collect umbilical cord at this moment. If expectant parents decide to bank the umbilical cord, it is required to deliver baby at the following private hospitals in order to enjoy HealthBaby service.
Including Canossa Hospital, Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, CUHK Medical Centre, Hong Kong Baptist Hospital, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Matilda International Hospital, Precious Blood Hospital (Caritas), St. Paul’s Hospital, St. Teresa’s Hospital, Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital, Union Hosiptal, and Kiang Wu Hospital.
Can the umbilical cord be sent to overseas for transplantation?
Cord blood and umbilical cord usage are not limited to Hong Kong region only. Upon your request, HealthBaby can deliver the cord blood and umbilical cord to the destinations as long it is legal at the destination.
Please Contact Us for more details.