Stem cells are the 'building blocks' of the human body, with the capability of regenerating into 200 types of tissues. The umbilical cord of a newborn is a rich source of these wonder cells. There is a growing international trend among parents to collect stem cells and store them cryogenically for potential medical use in the future.

Cord blood stem cells can be used to treat various (around 45 at present) life-threatening diseses. These include

Luthra Maternity & Infertility Center offers you the option of this new-age service for storing your baby's cord blood stem cells.

The probability of using one's own CB is very small and difficult to quantify, but probably as low as 0.04% (1:2500) to 0.0005% (1:200,000) in the first 20 yrs of life and therefore, storage of CB for personal use is not recommended.

Family member banking (collecting and storing CB for a family member) is recommended when there is a sibling with a disease that may be treated successfully with allogeneic transplant.