Umbilical Cord Blood Banking
As you plan for the birth of your child, you are likely to face many important decisions. One of those is whether to store your child's umbilical cord blood at the time of delivery.
Listed below are various issues you will need to consider before making your final decision. The importance of cord blood banking is becoming more evident as the list of diseases treatable with umbilical cord blood continues to grow. There is only a brief window of opportunity to obtain umbilical cord blood: immediately following the delivery of the baby and while the placenta is still attached. It is of utmost importance that you make your decision ahead of time and discuss it with the obstetrician who will be performing the delivery.
In preparation, you should investigate the various storage facilities and consider issues such as technique, reputation, and cost.
When Was Umbilical Cord Blood First Used?
Umbilical cord blood was successfully used for the first time in Paris in 1988. A child with a rare but lethal form of anemia (Fanconi's anemia) was treated and survived. This transplant marked the first of what has become a lifesaving measure for more than 45 conditions including hereditary diseases and cancer.
Why is Cord Blood Beneficial?
Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells, which are the building blocks of the blood and the immune system. These biologically unique cells have the ability to develop into other cell types within the body. Stem cells collected from the umbilical cord have the ability to replace bone marrow and to produce various blood and immune cells.
Cord blood can also be used for family members. There is a 50% chance of a perfect match for a parent and 25% chance for a perfect match for a sibling. However, one of the many benefits of cord blood is that you do not need a perfect match because stem cells from umbilical cord are very immature and have limited exposure to the environment and viruses, unlike bone marrow.
In the future, umbilical cord blood stem cells may be used to treat conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, and stroke.
How is Cord Blood Collected?
Collection of umbilical cord blood is simple and safe. It poses no risk or discomfort to the mother or newborn child. The blood is extracted from the placenta after the baby is born and after the umbilical cord has been cut. If not collected at the time of delivery, this precious blood is discarded along with the placenta.
When Do I Need to Decide to Bank the Cord Blood or Not?
The decision to bank umbilical cord blood is best made by the 28th week of pregnancy, allowing you ample time to discuss the procedure with your obstetrician and to choose the facility that best fits your needs.
What are the Chances that the Cord Blood Will be Used?
Cord blood banking should be used as a form of medical insurance. Like many other insurance policies, you hope that you will never need it. Various studies have estimated the likelihood of having to use your stored cord blood to be 1:2700 to 1:1400.
What is the Cost of Cord Blood Banking?
The cost of cord blood banking ranges from $900 and $2000 for the first year. The average cost is $1200 for the first year and $90 a year thereafter. Payment plans are usually available.
How Do I Choose a Cord Blood Bank?
When choosing a cord blood bank, you should do your own research as well as speak to your obstetrician. Factors to consider when making the final decision include:
- Accreditations: health agencies ensure high standards. AABB (American Association of Blood Banks), AATB (American Association of Tissue Banks), CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act) and CAP (College of American Pathologists) are some of the agencies that inspect laboratories.
- You should know where the banks store the cord blood and how they are delivered. Cord blood should be processed within 24 hours of collection to ensure the highest viability of the stem cells. Choosing a bank close to your home can reduce many risks associated with delays in the transportation and processing.
- Be sure a medical courier is used to guarantee the cord blood is handled and delivered in an appropriate manner.
Cord blood banking is slowly becoming standard practice. It is a form of medical insurance that, when needed, can make the difference between life and death. The stem cells from cord blood can be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Cord blood can be used for the child as well as family members. Choosing a facility should involve careful consideration and a discussion with your obstetrician.