Journal of Oncology Translational Research

Cord blood transfusion

Abstract

Peter Hollands

Cord blood transfusion can reduce costs in terms of reduced inpatient times, faster recovery and a reduction in hospital based deaths for patients suffering trauma, acute, chronic and terminal illness and those requiring blood transfusion during and following major surgery.

 

Cord blood contains three critical substances which make it much more effective as a transfusion product than donated adult blood, these are:

• Fetal haemoglobin in the red cells meaning that cord blood can carry more oxygen than donated adult blood and that a recipient of a cord blood transfusion has higher oxygenation rates. This could be critical in severe illness, trauma or during and after surgery

• Cytokines (proteins) which are not present in donated adult blood. These can down regulate pathological processes in trauma and disease and promote faster recovery rates

• Stem cells which may help to repair damaged tissue in trauma and disease

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