The collection of umbilical cord blood is now resuming during planned caesarean sections at Östra Hospital in Gothenburg. The blood remaining in the placenta and umbilical cord after birth contains stem cells that can be used to treat conditions including leukaemia and severe immunodeficiency disorders.
The programme, run by the National Cord Blood Bank at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, had been paused due to staff shortages. Expectant parents can now once again choose to donate.
“Umbilical cord blood is an important source of stem cells when a transplant is urgent or when no other suitably matched donor is available,” said Cecilia Langenskiöld, medical director of the cord blood bank and consultant at the Paediatric Oncology Centre.
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