Cord Blood Banking
Stem Cell Storage and Donation Options
Expectant parents have many decisions to consider regarding the delivery and care of their newborn. What to do with the umbilical cord blood has recently become another decision facing new parents. Cord blood-derived stem cells are a new source of blood cell-forming (hematopoietic) non-controversial stem cells with the potential for many medical treatments. These stem cells come from umbilical cords and placentas that would otherwise be discarded after the birth of full-term, babies. Based on these exciting developments, families have the choice to save their babies cord blood in public or private umbilical cord blood banks.
What are cord blood stem cells?
Cord blood stem cells can be used as cures and therapies for patients facing deadly blood cancers and other life-threatening illnesses. Cord blood stem cells offer an inexhaustible, easily obtainable and less costly source compared to those obtained from adult bone marrow donors. Umbilical cord blood collection poses no risks to the mother or baby as the blood is collected following delivery. Collection of these cells does not have the ethical or political concerns that surround the use of human embryonic stem cells because the harvesting of cord blood-derived stem cells does not harm the full-term infant donor. Researchers are working to discover future treatments for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s disease and Sickle Cell.
What are the options for my baby’s Umbilical Cord Blood?
Expectant parents have basically three choices in deciding what to do with the baby’s umbilical cord blood. You may pay to have it privately banked for your own families use, you may donate it at no cost to a public bank or you may choose to have it discarded.
The private banking option should be considered in families where there is a history of certain types of genetic anemias, cancers or autoimmune disorders. The costs of these programs range from $1700 to $2000 plus yearly storage fees of approximately $125. Privately banking umbilical cord blood guarantees the umbilical cord blood will be available to you if you or your family should ever unfortunately need the cells.
Through voluntary, public cord blood programs, you can donate your baby’s normally discarded umbilical cord blood, which contains cord blood-derived stem cells. You can help save a life through the donation of your baby’s umbilical cord blood. Upon donation, your baby’s cord blood type will be entered into a national database registry that can be searched by physicians in need of a match for one of their patients. Another component of the public banking process that expectant families must understand is that only a portion of the units donated meet the requirements to be eligible for use in treating patients. Public banks use the remaining umbilical cord blood to study various uses including diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Unlike private banking, there is no guarantee that a donated cord blood would be available to a family member.
How to Donate?
It is recommended that you speak to your health care provider when making this decision so they are aware of your wishes. The collection of umbilical cord blood should never interfere with the birth of your baby. The collection takes place after the delivery.
If you choose to privately bank your baby’s umbilical cord blood, the private bank will send you a kit in the mail. This kit will contain all necessary paperwork and instructions for your health care provider on the process of collection.
If donating to a public bank is the right option for your family, you will need to determine if this is available at your birthing center. Although there is no cost to donate, public banking is not available at all hospitals. Check with your health care provider to see if your center is a participant. You can also check online with the National Marrow Donor Program.
To facilitate a public donation, the mother must fill out paperwork regarding health history and donate a small amount of blood to check for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and lyme disease. Donating your baby’s cord blood is similar to donating blood to the American Red Cross or serving as a bone marrow donor. The cord blood collection process does not subject you to any greater risk then these other donation programs.
Cord Blood FAQs
Is cord blood collection safe?
Yes, after the delivery of a healthy baby, the cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord and placenta. If not collected, the placenta, umbilical cord and blood within are discarded as medical waste.
What are the most common uses of cord blood?
Cord blood transplants can and have been used for over 10 years in patients with leukemia, aplastic anemia and other blood cancers where there is no sibling or bone marrow match available. The future promises the hope of using cord blood stem cells for the treatment of heart disease, diabetes and spinal cord injuries. Nearly 10,000 UCB units have been transplanted into patients worldwide.
Are the stem cells in baby’s cord blood considered embryonic stem cells?
No. The stem cells in the full term baby’s cord blood are considered adult stem cells. There is no ethical controversy related to the use of these cells, the placenta would normally be discarded as medical waste.
Why are there so few public banks?
The quality control systems, regulation and procedures require that the public umbilical cord blood banks have outside funding. This funding usually is provided by philanthropic donations and support from businesses and grants. The costs of banking transplantable umbilical cord bloods are extensive.
Is there a down side to collecting a baby’s cord blood?
The collection of the umbilical cord blood poses no risk to the mother or the infant. Your health care provider will insure that the collection of umbilical cord blood would never interfere with the delivery of your baby. If the umbilical cord blood is not banked, it is discarded as medical waste. As more people become aware of the uses of collecting umbilical cord blood, more will be utilized rather than simply being discarded.
Editorial provided by Marcie Finney, Director of Hospital Relations at the Cleveland Cord Blood Center, located in Cleveland, OH.