Stem Cell Transplant Cures HIV
A patient from London who was HIV positive and diagnosed with cancer, agreed to have a stem cell transplant in hopes of curing his cancer. After treatment, not only was the patient cancer-free, but he is now living his life HIV-free.
DNA contains gene CCR5, which almost everyone carries. The CCR5 gene in the stem cells given to the London patient contained a specific mutation that prevents the gene from “expressing” itself. This type of mutation block allows CCR5 to become naturally resistant to HIV. Because HIV attacks the CCR5 part of a gene, when doctors treated the patient for his cancer, they literally fed his bod...
Source: Cord Blood News - April 23, 2019 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: blood disorder Cord Blood medical research stem cells Source Type: blogs
Stem Cell Treatment Cures Very Early Onset Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Baby Zhao was diagnosed with Very Early Onset Irritable Bowel Syndrome, VEO-IBS, just a few days after she was born. This worried Zhao’s parents because they lost their previous daughter to the same disease when she was just a few months old.
VEO-IBS is caused by an inherited genetic mutation and is not easily or successfully treated with medications. While some medications may help with mild relief for symptoms, patients are usually severely malnourished and experience pain and discomfort due to intestinal abscesses and fistulas.
Dr. Huang Ying, MD PhD, the director of the Digestive Disease Department at Children’s Ho...
Source: Cord Blood News - April 10, 2019 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: babies Cord Blood stem cells Source Type: blogs
10 Best Travel Destinations
With over 200 cases reported in 2018, it’s important to know the risks associated with Zika virus, not only in your area, but also in the places where you travel.
Zika Virus, spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, can also be transmitted through sex. The problem with Zika is that it can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus causing serious birth defects. Currently there is no vaccine or medicine for Zika. While Zika is a risk in many countries, we have compiled a list of 10 destinations that are Zika-free!
Bermuda
Looking for a quick flight? Bermuda, a British island territory, ...
Source: Cord Blood News - March 26, 2019 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: parents pregnancy Source Type: blogs
10 Zika-Free Destinations
With over 200 cases reported in 2018, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should know the risk associated with Zika virus, not only in your area, but also in the places where you travel.
Zika Virus, spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, can also be transmitted through sex. The problem with Zika is that it can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus causing serious birth defects. Currently there is no vaccine or medicine for Zika. While Zika is a risk in many countries, we have compiled a list of 10 destinations that are Zika-free!
Bermuda
Looking for a quick flight? Be...
Source: Cord Blood News - March 26, 2019 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: parents pregnancy Source Type: blogs
Signs of Early Labor
A woman will experience many signs before going into labor: nausea, cramping, lower back pain and a thick, bloody discharge. While some of these may be concerning, in many cases it’s just the body’s way of telling you that actual labor has not quite started yet but is close!
During pregnancy, the uterus grows and stretches. If you think about it, the uterus needs the most room towards the end of the pregnancy to support the full-term baby growing inside. In this event, mom-to-be may experience cramping and lower back pain as the uterus contracts to adjust in the body. She may also experience nausea because the full-...
Source: Cord Blood News - February 26, 2019 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: babies Cord Blood pregnancy Source Type: blogs
Public VS Private Banking
Besides having to deliver at a specific hospital, with public banking you choose to relinquish ownership of your baby’s cord blood sample for public use. And unless you meet strict qualifications, your baby’s cord blood could be discarded. Though there is no cost for this generous donation, if your baby needed a stem cell transplant, it could cost up to $45,000 to retrieve them, and only if they find a match!
Banking privately, however, allows you to give birth at any hospital, including comfortably at home with a midwife. Not only is it an easier process overall, you will have peace-of-mind knowing you have rightful a...
Source: Cord Blood News - February 12, 2019 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: babies Cord Blood Cord Tissue Education parents Uncategorized Source Type: blogs
Pros and Cons of Delayed Cord Clamping
Delayed cord clamping allows extra time, usually one to three minutes, between the clamping and separation of the umbilical cord from the baby, until pulsations in the umbilical cord have ceased or the placenta is delivered. This allows the remaining stem cell-rich blood from the placenta to be transferred to the baby after birth (up to one-third of the baby’s total blood volume).
Delayed cord clamping at birth has proven to benefit both baby and mom. Some studies show that the added blood volume in babies (especially in pre-term babies) increases their red blood count by 60%. Not only does this help prevent iron deficie...
Source: Cord Blood News - January 29, 2019 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: Cord Blood pregnancy stem cells Source Type: blogs
Asia ’s Mild-Spastic Tetra-Paresis and Cord Blood Stem Cells
Asia’s parents noticed that besides not being verbal, Asia struggled with standing, taking steps and holding objects in her hands. Their concern naturally grew as even with time and therapies, Asia was not showing any signs of improvement. Asia’s orthopedist diagnosed her with mild spastic tetra-paresis and recommended investigating the use of her stored stem cells for potential treatment.
Asia’s parents contacted their cord blood bank to explain Asia’s situation and were surprised and relieved to receive a positive response. Generally, doctors are hesitant to use one’s own stem cells for the treatment of certain...
Source: Cord Blood News - January 22, 2019 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: maze_cordadmin Tags: Cord Blood parents stem cells Source Type: blogs
Shai ’s Story
Shai’s Story is about a mother who fought with her daughter, Shai, through Shai’s battle with rhabdomyosarcoma, a tumorous cancer which developed in her pelvis while she was still in utero. It was diagnosed almost a year after her birth leaving Shai with little option for treatment. Shai’s mother, Frances, spent many months at a time in hospitals with Shai for chemotherapy treatment that was both saving her child’s life and killing her.
While treatment helped Shai with one cancer, leaving her family excited for her recovery, it also caused another cancer to develop while she was in remission. Shai had three organs ...
Source: Cord Blood News - January 9, 2019 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: babies Cord Blood parents stem cells Source Type: blogs
TissueQES Processing Method Verifies Stem Cell Growth
At Maze Cord Blood, your baby’s cord tissue is processed using our TissueQESTM. This process provides a Quantitative Evaluation of stem cell Survival. This means the quality and quantity of your baby’s stem cells will be verified prior to long-term storage. We will provide you with a PhotoID to confirm your baby’s stem cell’s growth after it is processed and tested. In the very unlikely case that your baby’s cells do not grow after testing, you will have the option to destroy them and receive a refund for the cord tissue.
Post-thaw Vs. Pre-thaw Methods
Our TissueQESTM verifies that your baby’s stem...
Source: Cord Blood News - December 19, 2018 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: Cord Tissue stem cells Source Type: blogs
Traveling During Pregnancy
There are a variety of factors to consider before making the decision to travel during pregnancy. Some of these factors include your pregnancy status, the destinations you plan to travel to, increased health risks due to being pregnant, and much more.
Most physicians suggest its fine to travel through the 2nd trimester of your pregnancy because pregnancy-related emergencies seem to occur less frequently. If you are pregnant and traveling, it is important to understand that there are risks that can potentially harm your baby during the trip, regardless of whether it’s related to travel or not.
Read this article to lear...
Source: Cord Blood News - November 22, 2018 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: pregnancy Source Type: blogs
Should You Get the Flu Shot When You ’re Pregnant?
Many changes occur to your immune system during pregnancy. Unfortunately, some of these changes can cause you to become more susceptible to the flu. It is important to avoid getting the flu while pregnant as it can be more severe compared to other times in your life. Not only is this dangerous to your health, but it can be very harmful for your baby as well.
Getting your flu shot can help protect your baby even before it is born. This is extremely important because it is advised by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention that children under six months should not get the flu shot. Read the article to help you understan...
Source: Cord Blood News - October 30, 2018 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: babies pregnancy Source Type: blogs
Repairing Cleft Palate With Cord Blood Stem Cells
Doctors in Columbia recently performed a procedure using Cord Blood stem cells to treat cleft lip and palate in a 5-month old baby. Although still in the experimental stage, these stem cells have the potential to lead to a therapy that can treat this genetic condition without traditional surgery which can lead to complications later on in a child’s life. Using the umbilical cord stem cells means there is a greater chance of developing many specialized cells in the body, including bone and cartilage. Click here to read about the procedure researchers performed using this therapy on a five-month-old baby who was born with ...
Source: Cord Blood News - October 16, 2018 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: babies Cord Blood parents pregnancy stem cells Source Type: blogs
Having a Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is quite common in women. If you are pregnant, your risk for developing a UTI is increased starting at week 6 through week 24. A UTI, also called a bladder infection, is bacterial inflammation in the urinary tract; which is due to the changes in the urinary tract during pregnancy. As the uterus grows, its weight can start to block the drainage of urine from the bladder, causing an infection.
An untreated UTI can lead to a kidney infection which can cause early labor and low birth weight. Fortunately, UTI’s during pregnancy can be safely treated. Below are a few common symptoms. See the c...
Source: Cord Blood News - October 1, 2018 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: pregnancy Source Type: blogs
Treating Autism With Cord Blood Therapy
Apratim Dey Singah of Kolkata, India was 18 months of age when his parents noticed his communication skills were not progressing compared to the other children his age. Apratim’s birth was a month premature and he was diagnosed having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism can be characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as unique strengths and differences. Apratim had enough of these traits to be recognized as being on the spectrum.
After much research, Apratim’s parents learned that in 2014 (when Apratim was born), Duke University launched the fi...
Source: Cord Blood News - September 17, 2018 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Maze Cord Blood Tags: brain development Cord Blood medical research parents stem cells Source Type: blogs
