New parents usually want to do whatever is necessary to medically protect their children, and an increased awareness and interest in saving newborn umbilical blood has sparked interest in private cryogenic banks designed for that purpose. These facilities test and then store this commodity at extremely low temperatures for many years. The process is not cheap, but may be mitigated by using a cord blood registry coupon.

The umbilical tissue fluids contain stem cells. While the use of certain stem cells has generated great controversy, this is a completely different technology that harms no one, especially the infant. It utilizes the blood remaining after the umbilical link has been clamped and cut, and the baby feels absolutely no pain from the procedure. In the past this tissue was routinely discarded, but now may be frozen at extremely low temperatures.

Public umbilical cell banks are designed to benefit unrelated individuals. A non-public cryogenic storage laboratory, however, saves only individually identified cells, and which be used by no one else unless re-donated. Having those cells readily available, however, guarantees tissue compatibility, even though the chances of actually needing them are remote.

The unique advantage of having a personally matched source means that outright cell rejection is less of an issue. Also called autologous cells, they are the focus of research exploring their possible roles in various types of regenerative medicine. Medical scientists hope to develop stem cell treatments for such disparate conditions as cardiovascular damage, diabetes, brain injuries and central nervous system illnesses.

Current technology already uses them for treating many disorders, including certain cancers and genetically-based diseases. Bone-marrow transplants also are used similarly, but finding a suitable donor is a problem for many. Even though there are remaining medical issues surrounding the practice, including possible transmission of undetected genetic illnesses, umbilical stem cells provide a real treatment alternative, especially for children.

With all those considerations, the decision to protect your own child in this fashion seems like a simple one, but should be approached with a full understanding of all factors involved, including problems the facilities themselves face. Private banks must be profitable, and usually receive no subsidies. They are subject to the ongoing economic upheavals that affect all businesses.

Due to high costs, public cell banks are few in number, and cannot guarantee that a donation will be saved for private, individual use. Due to their nature stem cells are easier to match that many others, especially for children. People with non-Caucasian genetic profiles may experience more difficulty finding the right match due to fewer donations, a problem that privately registered donors do not experience.

A non-public storage facility provides a more acceptable solution for some parents. Like other medical processes, the price tag can be steep, and includes not only the initial charge, but also a monthly fee for continued preservation. Check on line for the current availability of these discounts. For those who choose this option, a cord blood registry coupon can help to substantially cut expenses while providing peace of mind.

Tom is a health professional who can show you how to get a cord blood registry discount code.

Author's Bio: 

Tom is a nurse who loves to educate others on all aspects of good health. He writes about all sorts of things in the health niche; reading his articles is fun, like a grab bag!