Stem cells from umbilical cord blood: obtainment, applications and Costa Rican situation.

Abstract

Stem cells can be embryonic or adult. Currently, hematopoietic and mesenchymal adult stem cells can be isolated from different sources, for example the umbilical cord blood. To do this, it is necessary to carry out established procedures to obtain an adequate amount of them, and that, also comply with the required quality control parameters. Applications for this type of cells include the treatment of signs and symptoms of degenerative diseases, as well as autoimmune and hematological diseases. However, the range of diseases for which this therapy has been approved is small. In Costa Rica, the first umbilical cord blood private bank was inaugurated in 2004, and in 2016, the cryopreservation laboratory was opened at the San Juan de Dios Hospital of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. Thus, due to the lack of information that exists in the country in regard to this issue, health professionals become educators, who can properly inform the population about this therapeutic option.