Cord Blood Banking

Answer: When it comes to matching human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types, a patient’s ethnic background is important in predicting the likelihood of finding a match

The chances for an Indian to find a matching donor in public cord blood banks outside India is <10%. Moreover, only 6,500 samples & the only public bank in India has stopped accepting further samples due to lack of funds.

The probability of finding a donor for an Indian patient outside India is 16 % and a 0.008 % in the Indian registries (donors in Indian registries is just 33,678 as compared to 22.5 million in Bone marrow registries worldwide).

Donor dropout rates still remain the biggest concern.

Reference:
https://bethematch.org/transplant-basics/matching-patients-with-donors/how-does-a-patients-ethnic-background-affect-matching/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4375143/

You are 4 steps away from a lifetime of good health!

• Sign Up!: Before childbirth, sign up for Stem Cell Banking and receive a collection kit. Follow the instructions provided until the big day.

• Sample Collection: Ensure to carry the cord blood collection kit to the Hospital. Book a paramedic, who will ensure the collection, shipment to the lab.

• Testing And Processing: Your sample will be tested to check its health and processed using advanced PrepaCyte-CB® technology. You can visit the client portal to track the storage & view reports

• Congratulations! Now you are part of India’s largest cord blood registry.

LifeCell uses premier cord blood processing technology, PrepaCyte-CB®. This technology allows extraction of a maximum number of stem cells and provides superior red blood cell depletion over all other methods. LifeCell is the only company in India to offer this unique technology to its customers.

For more information on cord blood processing:
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All humans carry a set of genes that code for these proteins, called the human leukocyte antigen (HLA). A person's HLA complex is genetically inherited from their parents (50% from each parent). There are 6 HLA types that are important for stem cell transplants. As each person's HLA complex is relatively unique, it is essential that the HLA-type of the donor matches the recipient in order to prevent a post-transplant immune response and graft rejection.

Answer: Any technology is only beneficial when it adds a value to human life. Just after the transplant, there is a highest risk of infection until the new cells engraft. This is because the patient will have fewer white blood cells than normal. White blood cells are the part of the immune system that help prevent or fight infections.

Engraftment usually happens within the first 30 days after the transplant but sometimes can take longer. Engraftment means the new cells are working properly and starting to rebuild the immune system. Engraftment marks the start of the recovery process. White blood cells are the first cells to engraft, followed by red blood cells and platelets.

PrepaCyte-CB harvest the purest form of cord blood stem cells by removing more than 99% RBCs with the highest cell count in the industry (85-90% recovery) and provide the fastest patient recovery within 16 days compared to any other processing technologies.

Thus, helps in better transplant outcomes, lesser time for hospitalisation and saves additional cost.

Answer: There are a number of studies to prove the adverse effects of genetically mutated donor cells on recipients. Study shows that apparently healthy donors with both inherited acquired genetic factors can contribute to donor derived cancers.

LifeCell under its exclusive safe transplantation program Screens for thousands of Inherited Disorders and Pediatric Cancers before the retrieval of any stem cell form the registry to ensure the safest and healthiest stem cells are released for transplantation.

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1083879116302774

LifeCell offers a number of flexible storage plans at an affordable price. The EMI starts at Rs. 950/month.

For more information on pricing & offers: Click Here

You can register with LifeCell anytime before your expected delivery date. We suggest you enrol with us during your second or initial phase of the third trimester to avail an early-bird discount and other exciting offers.

Yet to make a decision on stem cell banking? Let our experts help you make the right decision. Book an appointment with us today: Click Here

Answer: As per ICMR banks can only store stem cells derived from cord blood. Anyone offering to store stem cells derived from any other sources is indulging in unethical medical practice

Since Mesenchymal Stem cells (cord tissue stem cells) are considered to be ‘universal donor cells’ they are being made available off-the-shelf for immediate treatment as they don’t need donor-recipient matching. In fact, almost all the current active human clinical trials related to umbilical cord tissue are using MSC’s obtained from donated sources

LifeCell assures to provide Free Guaranteed MSCs expansion within 7 days form a DCGI /ICMR / CDSCO approved product. LifeCell also assures the safety and efficacy of the cells.

Reference: https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/faqs/is-it-safe-use-msc-donor

Once the stem cells are tested & processed in our lab, LifeCell sends a preservation certificate to parents. An annual preservation status report with details of monthly temperature track record is shared once every year.

To know more about how to bank your baby’s stem cells with LifeCell:Click Here

Yes! You can now extend stem cell protection to more family members with LifeCell’s Floater Plan.

LifeCell ensures unlimited and free retrievals of cord blood units to all its members in case of a transplant.