Banking Umbilical Cord Blood: Description and Composition of Umbilical Cord Blood

Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells that can be used to treat blood related disorders later in the child’s life.

The pregnancy is coming to an end and there are a plethora of decisions to be made about the labor and delivery. An option that is available to moms today that was not available to previous generations is banking of the umbilical cord blood.

Umbilical Cord Blood Composition

Umbilical cord blood of a newborn is full of stem cells which are cells in the body that can be used to produce all parts of the blood. Stem cells can produce platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells. Stem cells are found in bone marrow as well as blood. Research has shown that stem cells can be used to treat certain genetic disorders. Proponents of cord blood banking promote the fact that new uses for stem cells are being developed in laboratories every year.

Stem Cell Treatments

Because stem cells can reproduce into any kind of blood cell in the body, they can be used to treat blood disorders. Stem cells can be injected into the body’s bloodstream to treat leukemia, sickle cell anemia and lymphoma. Patients who have bone marrow that has been damaged from cancer treatments such as chemo and radiation may also be able to benefit from the injection of stem cells. Once the stem cells are in the patient’s bloodstream, it is believed that they will create new, healthy cells that can ultimately cure the patient’s blood related disorder. Studies have shown that frozen cord blood can be viable for up to 15 years.

Banking Cord Blood

In order to bank an infant’s cord blood, parents must contact a cord blood bank early in the third trimester of the pregnancy. There are several private umbilical cord blood banking services available that all charge similar fees for their service. There is generally a collection fee as well as an annual fee. When the baby is delivered, the doctor or nursing staff will ensure that the umbilical cord blood is collected for storage at the umbilical cord blood bank.

Choosing to bank a baby’s umbilical cord blood is a personal decision. The storage fees over time can be very expensive but can also prove to be priceless if the investment later treats an illness in the child that saves his life. Parents should discuss the option with the obstetrician as well as the pediatrician to decide the best route for their individual situation.

Morgellons Disease – A Rare Medical Condition: Learn the Symptoms and Treatment

A rare new medical condition is currently under study investigations by the CDC because of the many unusual symptoms it has shown to produce.

The CDC has begun study investigation on a rare new medical condition that produces many unusual symptoms. This rare condition is called Morgellons Disease. There have been many reported cases of this disease where the patients report to experience moving fibers growing from within skin lesions on the body. These rare symptoms often lead doctors to improperly diagnose a patient with a psychiatric disorder instead of an actual medical condition.

The CDC began their investigation after the numbers of reported cases of Morgellons Disease began to rise. This disease has become so wide spread that all 50 states of the United States now report cases of Morgellons Disease. Florida and Texas have reported the most cases. Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have began reporting similar cases of Morgellons Disease. The only evidence that has come for the studies is the conclusion that the patients family members are likely to be affected by the condition as well.

Symptoms

Morgellons Disease produces very rare and very odd symptoms. These symptoms are so unique that patients are often disregarded as having a psychiatric condition. A common symptom of this condition is painful skin lesions that cause an intense and painful itching. Inside the skin lesions, patients report seeing white, blue, red, and black moving fibers. There have been many reports of odd sensations underneath the skin as if bugs were crawling in their skin or insects have been stinging them. Extreme fatigue has been associated with this disease as well as lack of concentration. Some patients have experienced vision disturbances and memory loss. The joints and muscles of the bodies can become painful. Behavioral changes and gastrointestinal disturbances have been reported. The skin on the body can begin to change texture and even color.

Treatment

Since Morgellons Disease is a relatively new condition, there is no known cure. So little is known about this condition that it is not even known if it is infectious. The cause of this rare disease remains unknown as well. Doctors can only recommend treatments to cope with this condition. The most important step for a patient to follow is to get frequent check ups by a trusting and understanding doctor. Alternative treatments may benefit the treatment of this disease so it is important to keep an open mind. Conventional medications have not shown to have any positive impact of treating Morgellons Disease.