Cord Blood banking

Cord Blood banking, a biological insurance?



Cord blood is the blood left in the placenta and umbilical cord after the birth of baby. Normally they were discarded after birth until the 1970s, where it is discovered that umbilical cord blood is able to supply stem cells similar to that of bone marrow. The collection process is painless and harmless to the baby and mother. Normally the cord blood is removed by a syringe. view kit.

Most parents around us do store their baby's umbilical cord blood privately, as a form of investment and insurance. The cord blood is extremely useful for curing leukemia, sickle cell disease etc. Well, is it necessary to store the cord blood or we are just following blindly, a monkey see monkey do scenario.

Stem cell storage is strongly encourage if the family has a medical history of the above mentioned disease. But the cost may not be affordable to many. Initial cost may range from US$500 to $2000 with annual storage fee approx. US$90.

Cord Blood Bank in Singapore
1. Stemcord
2. Singapore Cord Blood Bank

more readings
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/agesandstages/i/cord_blood_bank.htm
http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregnancy/cord_blood.html
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/550237
http://parentsguidecordblood.org/content/usa/banklists/listasia.shtml