What is the Umbilical Cord?
The umbilical cord is the tissue that provides nutrient and oxygen communication between the mother and the baby throughout pregnancy. Its diameter varies between 1-2 cm and its length varies between 10-50 cm. The umbilical cord consists of a hard substance called Wharton’s jelly. It contains 2 arteries and a vein. Wharton Jelly is rich in Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs).
What Are the Clinical Uses of Umbilical Cord Stem Cells?
- In soft tissue defects
- In chronic wounds that do not heal (diabetic wounds)
- In the treatment of burn scars
- In peripheral vascular diseases (Buerger's disease, ischemic foot)
- In tissue repair and regeneration
- In heart diseases
- In rheumatological diseases
- In diabetes treatment
- In structural damage of bone, cartilage, adipose tissue, nerve, and connective tissue
- In retinal diseases (such as optic atrophy, macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa)
- In neurodegenerative diseases and neurological damage
- Mesenchymal stem cells are also used in clinical trials/research for treating acute tissue rejection following allogeneic stem cell transplants due to their immune system suppressive effects.
Their use in organ transplants is approved by all institutions, including the FDA, to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ.
Additionally, there is ongoing research into their potential use in treating conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, hearing loss in children, Type I diabetes, as well as neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and osteogenesis imperfecta. Many clinical trials are being conducted both domestically and internationally to investigate these possibilities.
Stem cell research is poised to become one of the most common fields of research in medicine; numerous clinical studies are being conducted in recent years regarding the use of MSCs and treatments for various diseases.
For this reason, it is recommended to store cord blood and umbilical cord separately.
How is the Umbilical Cord Collected?
The umbilical cord is collected from the section remaining on the placenta side after the umbilical cord is cut following vaginal or cesarean birth. Normally, immediately after birth, the cord blood and umbilical cord are discarded as medical waste. However, birth is the only opportunity to preserve cord blood and the umbilical cord. After clamping the umbilical cord, a 10-14 cm long section is cut and placed into a special solution. It is then transferred to a special container and must reach our center within 48 hours to be processed for long-term storage.
Umbilical Cord Banking
Umbilical cord stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells), isolated using a special method, are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at -196°C for many years, unless the family states otherwise. The stored cord blood and umbilical cord can become a valuable health legacy that the individual may leave to other family members in the future.
If you need umbilical cord stem cells, the first thing you should do is inform ONKIM as soon as possible via email or phone. This notification is crucial for the bank to make the necessary preparations. Company representatives will provide you with detailed information immediately, and the cord blood will be transferred to the clinic or hospital where treatment will take place under suitable conditions.