Mankind’s first natural stem cell transplant

Abstract

The timing of the umbilical cord clamping at birth is still controversial. In the modern era of medicine, the cord has been clamped early to facilitate resuscitation and stabilization of infants. However, recently delayed cord clamping has been supported by physicians because it allows for the physiological transfer of blood from the placenta to the infant. Many clinical studies have revealed that the delayed cord clamping elevates blood volume and haemoglobin and prevents anaemia in infants. Moreover, since it was known that umbilical cord blood contains various valuable stem cells such as haematopoietic stem cells, endothelial cell precursors, mesenchymal progenitors and multipotent/pluripotent lineage stem cells, the merit of delayed cord clamping has been magnified. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of delayed cord clamping at birth. We highlight the importance of delayed cord clamping in realizing mankind’s first stem cell transfer and propose that it should be encouraged in normal births.

Timing of umbilical cord clamping of term infants

“…In addition, umbilical cord blood contains a number of hematopoietic stem cells large enough to be used for transplantation in children, adolescents, and adults, 41 a firmly rising hope.…”

Tiempo de clampeo del cordón umbilical en recién nacidos de término

“…Asimismo, la sangre del cordón contiene suficientes células madre hematopoyéticas para aplicarlas en trasplantes en niños, adolescentes y adultos, 41 una gran esperanza que crece firmemente. 42,43 Otros aspectos para tener en cuenta en el tiempo de clampeo del cordón umbilical…”

Stem cell transfer in newborn infants through placental transfusion via delayed umbilical cord clamping

“…9 The article's authors underscored the important proliferation of pluripotent stem cells in the fetus after birth and afterwards, and this may only be achieved through the large volume of blood (25-35 mL/kg) received by newborn infants via delayed clamping. The authors also highlighted that umbilical cord blood contains sufficient hematopoietic stem cells to be used for transplantation, although further experience is required in this regard.…”