RESUMEN El trasplante de celulas madres hematopoyeticas (CMH) obtenidas de medula osea (MO) se ha convertido en el tratamiento de eleccion para diferentes desordenes hematologicos. Pero este presenta dificultades, que pueden mejorarse con el uso de de sangre de cordon umbilical (SCU), fuente importante de CMH de rapida disponibilidad, facil obtencion, inofensivo para el donante, menor restriccion de histocompatibilidad (HLA), menor rechazo y menor transmision de enfermedades infecciosas. Ademas, poseen potenciales de expansion y proliferacion mas altos que los de MO. Un banco publico de SCU permite que las celulas esten disponibles para quien las pueda necesitar. La tipificacion previa, permite facilmente donaciones no relacionadas, pero compatibles. La carencia de redes de donacion de MO en Colombia y la gran cantidad de nacimientos anuales, generan la necesidad y oportunidad de crear un banco publico de SCU que aumente las probabilidades para receptores de minorias etnicas. Palabras clave: Sangre de cordon umbilical, celulas madre, banco publico de sangre de cordon umbilical. ABSTRACT Bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) transplant has turned into the preferred treatment for different hematopoietical disorders. However it has difficulties that could be improved by using Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB). UCB is an important source of HSC that can be acquired fast, easily, without risk for the donor, with less histocompatibility (HLA) restriction, higher acceptance and less transmission of infective diseases. Furthermore, HSC from UCB have higher potential of expansion and proliferation than those from bone marrow. An UCB Public Bank has available cells for anyone who would need them. In addition, the previous hand tipification, simplifies not related compatible donations. The lacking of bone marrow donor networks in Colombia and the high amount of annual births creates the need and opportunity to set an UCB public bank that would improve the odds for possible receptors from ethnic minorities. Key words: Umbilical cord blood, human stem cells, public umbilical cord blood bank.
