For example, a current university study has tracked the births of nearly 2,000 healthy babies by mothers who are transplant recipients. Thousands of Americans, including children, need a bone marrow transplant each year yet are unable to find a suitable match. Marrow typing of a potential donor requires only a very small sample of blood. Patients who need bone marrow transplant are actually in need of new stem cells, which produce the body's blood cells. To date, bone marrow has been the most prominent source of stem cells.
New research proves that umbilical cord blood is also an effective source of stem cells.
Cord blood banks are developing around the county.