Last updated: March 02, 2015


National Breaking News

Cord blood used to prevent diabetes

A WORLD-FIRST Australian study will examine whether umbilical cord blood could prevent or delay type 1 diabetes in high risk children.

Cord blood, which is rich in immune cells and stem cells, has been a valuable resource for treating medical conditions including leukaemia.

Researchers from The Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney will investigate whether cord blood can prevent the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, caused by an autoimmune process.

"We believe that regulatory T cells, found in cord blood, can actually stop this immune destruction in the pancreas and protect the child from developing diabetes," said Associate Professor Maria Craig from the hospital's Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes.

"Research is only just starting to unlock the potential for cord blood, with its potent mix of valuable cells, to help manage a variety of disease states.

"Type 1 diabetes is an extremely challenging condition so we are very excited at the prospect of assessing the potential role for cord blood, notably its safety and practicality, in preventing the onset of this disease," she said.

The five-year study will use children's own cord blood collected from the umbilical cord and placenta at birth and stored in a private cord blood bank.

Up to 600 participants will be screened and about 20 will have cord blood reinfused.

The study, funded by cord blood bank Cell Care Australia, will focus on children aged one to 12 years whose cord blood has been stored and who have a close relative with type 1 diabetes .