The Probability of Cord Blood Use
A recent study published by American scientists calculates that the lifetime probability of needing stem cells for treatment is approximately 1:200 and the probability of undergoing autologous transplantation is approximately 1:400. These calculations were based on the occurrence of each disorder and the frequency of their transplantations. In the first 20 years of life the odds that a young person will undergo an autologous transplantation are approximately 1:5000.*
These estimates only count those disorders where hematopoietic cells are already used. However new results from experimental studies show that autologous cord blood can be used in treatment of non standard disorders like diabetes type 1 or traumatic brain injuries at birth. The utilization of stem cells in these new fields of medicine increases the possibilities of cord blood use.
*Nietfeld at al., Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 14:316-322, (2008)