cells from cord blood stem are used to treat over 70 different diseases, and one of its most common applications is in the treatment of sickle cell anemia. Patients with the disease are usually required to undergo blood transfusions on a regular basis, but the cells cord blood stem offer an alternative method of treatment.
Sickle cell disease is characterized by abnormal red blood cells form. healthy blood cells are round and flexible, which are able to move easily in the whole body. Sickle cell anemia is characterized by abnormal red blood cells form, which often become stuck in blood vessels and restrict blood flow. Over time, this can lead to organ damage.
Antibiotics, other drugs and even blood transfusions can relieve the symptoms of the disease but are not permanent solutions. Doctors recommend likely that patients with severe sickle cell anemia consider stem cell transplantation for the relief or the potential treatment. In such cases, patients are given an injection of stem cells derived from bone marrow of a family member or a sample of umbilical cord blood. The sick and damaged red blood cells are replaced with healthy cells that help repair the blood stream.
This is just one of many potential uses for stem cells from cord blood, and information on how the cord blood can potentially improve other conditions is available here.