Cord Blood Banking
Answers to Common Questions
Cord blood, the blood that remains in your baby's umbilical cord after the cord has been cut, is a rich source of unique stem cells that can be used in medical treatments. Expectant parents can save their baby's cord blood at birth by making arrangements with a family cord blood bank. Family banks save cord blood for the exclusive use of the baby or other family members. Here are some common questions about cord blood banking:
What is cord blood?
Cord blood is the blood that remains in your newborn's umbilical cord after birth. Cord blood, like bone marrow, is an invaluable source of a type of stem cell that can be used in a variety of medical treatments. A process known as cord blood banking allows families to save this valuable resource for potential future medical use. If it is not saved, it is discarded at the hospital.
How is cord blood used in medical treatments?
Cord blood stem cells have been successfully used in transplant medicine for more than 20 years. Cord blood has been used to treat many life-threatening diseases, including leukemia, other cancers, and blood disorders.
Cord blood is being researched today to determine if stem cells can induce healing or regenerate cells to repair tissues. This exciting new area of research has led to clinical trials using cord blood in experimental therapies for patients with cerebral palsy, brain injury, and juvenile diabetes.
Who can use my baby's cord blood stem cells?
Any family member who is a suitable match may be able to use your baby's cord blood stem cells for transplant medicine, although siblings are the most likely to be compatible matches for using stem cells. Your baby will always be a perfect match and may use his or her own stem cells for a number of diseases, however, not for inherited genetic conditions. In those cases a matched sibling's stem cells would be the first choice.
How likely is it that my family will need to use stem cells?
The use of cord blood has increased significantly in the past 15 years. As uses for cord blood expand, so does the likelihood that the cells may be needed by a member of your family. Based on the most recent data, the likelihood of needing a stem cell transplant is:
- 1 in 217—for an individual (by age 70), using his or her own stem cells or someone else’s.1
Data does not reflect future therapies that may be developed and includes stem cells from cord blood, bone marrow, and peripheral blood.
How is cord blood collected?
Collecting cord blood is a simple, safe, and painless procedure that usually takes less than five minutes and happens immediately after birth. After the umbilical cord has been cut, the remaining blood in the cord is collected. The cord blood is then shipped to the laboratory and frozen in cryogenic storage tanks for long-term preservation.
If you do not save your baby's cord blood, it will be discarded after birth.
1. Nietfeld JJ, et al. Lifetime probabilities of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the U.S. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. Mar 2008;14(3):316-322.
Banking cord blood does not guarantee that the cells will provide a cure or be applicable for every situation. Ultimate use will be determined by the treating physician. Treatment for brain injury and juvenile diabetes is experimental and currently requires the use of your own cord blood.