Cord blood banking stores blood from your baby's umbilical cord as a future treatment for serious diseases, such as sickle cell anemia and leukemia. There are both public and private banks in existence, although costs for storing cord blood are prohibitive for many parents, particularly in private banks. Once cord blood is collected, it can be stored for both research and treatment purposes because it contains such a high amount of stem cells. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in charge of cord blood banking (just like blood banks) and maintains strict regulations in regards to both collection and storage. Here’s a look at how cord blood is collected and stored, as well as the difference in public and private banking.
Public versus Private Cord Blood Banking
If you want your baby’s cord blood to be collected, preparations must be made by the 34 week of gestation (largely because cord banks tend to be understaffed). Different organizations have different rules, but essentially you contact the company you want to use, and they send the equipment or kit necessary for your obstetrician to collect the cord blood.
Additionally, some hospitals restrict banking options. In theory, this allows staff to become practiced in the methods for the banks in question, although financial incentives may play a factor. There is only one mail-in option for cord blood banking. No matter which bank you choose, the procedure should be safe and painless for mother and child.
If you opt for public cord blood banking, you are donating your baby’s cord blood for research and the potential use of other families. You cannot get your baby’s cord blood back. Samples are marked anonymously and shipped to the public bank. It might be used to save another child’s life or in research to save many children’s lives. Anyone can donate, but there are normally health requirements. Public banks usually operate only in large areas with diverse groups of people.
Private cord blood banking can be extremely costly. If certain diseases run in your family, it may be worth it in the long run. The initial cost is usually between $1,000 and $3,000 with a yearly fee that ranges from $75-$200. You cannot donate private cord blood to public banks later on, and not every disease will benefit from the stem cells in cord blood. However, you have the guarantee that the cord blood is at your disposal if your family needs it.
How is Cord Blood Collected and Stored?
Cord blood must be collected within ten minutes of birth. Once the cord is cut, your doctor will collect blood from the umbilical cord and store it in the appropriate packaging. In addition to the blood and stem cells drawn from the placental end of the cord, some companies provide the option to include umbilical tissue. The sample will be tested for major diseases at the hospital or after it is returned to the company’s lab. The tissue may also be examined to determine the strength of the new child’s immune system, the baby's blood type, and the viability of the blood cells. A sufficient collection requires at least 75 mL (3-5 ounces) of cord blood.
Once the sample arrives at the cord blood bank, it will be processed to separate and remove plasma and red blood cells, which tend to burst when frozen. This rupture can release iron from hemoglobin and become toxic. Processing may be done by centrifuge, sedimentation, or a combination technique. The stem cells and white blood cells platelets in the remaining “buffy coat” are cryopreserved in very cold temperatures, possibly with a chemical additive. In fact, experts recommend choosing an organization that provides shipping containers with excellent insulation to protect the sample during transport.
Talk to both your doctor and the hospital you plan to give birth at if you are considering saving your baby’s cord blood. Whether you choose to donate it or store it for private use, they can be a great source of information for cord blood banking available in your area.
