Patient's question:
My child is due next month, and a colleague suggested that I preserve the umbilical cord blood, saying it would be beneficial for the child in the future. However, not many people preserve umbilical cord blood, and I also see that the cost is quite high. I’m not sure if this preservation is reliable. I’d like to ask for everyone’s opinion on whether it’s necessary.What kind of help I’m looking for: Is it necessary to preserve umbilical cord blood?
Doctor's answer:
Hematopoietic stem cells from cord blood maintain good activity even after being stored frozen for over ten years, and the history of cord blood preservation has been nearly two decades. Theoretically, cord blood can be stored long-term.Autologous stored cord blood does not require matching when needed, as it has strong cell activity and eliminates the risk of immune rejection. The success rate of transplantation and cure rate is high, and medical costs are relatively low. Additionally, stored cord blood can provide a certain level of protection for other family members.
Looking ahead, cord blood stem cells hold extremely high medical value. Hematopoietic stem cells from cord blood are a valuable personal biological resource that can only be preserved once in a lifetime. Storing a child's cord blood is equivalent to storing a backup of their life. Cord blood has not only been effective in treating dozens of difficult and incurable diseases but also continues to expand the range of treatable conditions.