Why are stem cells so important? Stem cells can cure a number of severe diseases. This is because of the capacity of stem cells to be able to renew and recreate other cells. They can also function as other cells such as brain or muscle cells. Below are some of the diseases that stem cells can help cure.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a dreaded form of blood cancer. Normally blood cells multiply to form new blood cells, but in this disease, when old blood cells die new ones are not replenished. Also the number of white blood cells can be abnormally excessive. At such a time cord blood stem cells can be used to produce new red blood cells and restore the immune system.
Sickle Cell Anemia
In this disease abnormal hemoglobin is present in the blood. This hemoglobin causes the blood cells to deform into a sickle shape. These cells are destroyed by the body’s immune system causing anemia. Cord blood stem cells help replenish the red blood cells that produce healthy hemoglobin.
Thalassemia
Thalassemia is a disease in which the person cannot produce hemoglobin as a normal person does. Hemoglobin is essential for the supply of oxygen to the different parts of the body. The organs do not function properly without oxygen and so regular blood transfusions become necessary. Now days cord blood transplantation is used to treat this disorder and restore the hemoglobin of the patient.
Immune Deficiency
There are two types of immune deficiency, primary and secondary. The first immune deficiency is a genetic disorder where the body’s immune system does not function properly. In the second type of immune deficiency, external factors such as chemotherapy weaken the immune system.
These are some of the diseases that can be treated with cord blood stem cells. Thankfully, cord blood research has made it possible for these dreadful diseases to be treated and often cured too. For more information visit pregnancy period.