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Q: Please explain what umbilical cord blood could do for people with Spina Bifida. What hospitals do this? A: Umbilical cord blood is one type of method for retrieving stem cells. Stem cell transplants are an important part of current and future treatment of some diseases which affect the blood and immune system, such as leukemia and some types of anemia. There is currently no indication of its use in the treatment of SB. This is because stem cells can only be transformed into blood cells at this time-not other tissues. However, the future holds many exciting possibilities that stem cells may be used to treat neurological disorders like Parkinson’s Disease and spinal cord injuries. On that note, there is hope for Spina Bifida also as the technology becomes more advanced and widespread. The March of Dimes website has a very informative link on the topic of umbilical cord blood and its relevance to stem cell transplants which may be of interest. Furthermore, the National Marrow Donation Program has provided a list of hospitals that participate in the cord blood banking program.
This information does not constitute medical advice for any individual. As specific cases may vary from the general information presented here, SBA advises readers to consult a qualified medical or other professional on an individual basis. |