Baby's cord frozen to fight illness; MEDICINE.A COUPLE who have frozen their newborn baby's umbilical cord umbilical cord (ŭmbĭl`ĭkəl), cordlike structure about 22 in. (56 cm) long in the pregnant human female, extending from the abdominal wall of the fetus to the placenta. are thought to be the first in Britain to sign up for the procedure. Stem cell stem cell In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. samples from the cord will be stored for 20 years and could potentially be used if any of the family fall seriously ill A patient is seriously ill when his or her illness is of such severity that there is cause for immediate concern but there is no imminent danger to life. See also very seriously ill. . Peter and Paula Aspinall of Northwich, Cheshire, paid around pounds 2,000 for the "insurance policy" for themselves, baby Daniel and his threeyear-old sister Megan. Research has shown the stored tissue could repair damaged bone, cartilage, tendons and muscles, combat nerve damage and chronic inflammation chronic inflammation n. Inflammation that may have a rapid or slow onset but is characterized primarily by its persistence and lack of clear resolution; it occurs when the tissues are unable to overcome the effects of the injuring agent. . Mrs Aspinall, 34, said, "I think it's a waste the cord is routinely thrown away." |
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