Cord blood banking is one of those things you hear people talk about while you’re pregnant that can make you initially panic. What is it? Should I know? Do I need to know? Don’t worry – it’s actually quite simple! Cord blood is the blood present in the umbilical cord and placenta after you give birth. Some parents decide to store this blood in what is called a ‘cord blood bank’ where the blood is frozen and kept for future use. Why would you want to do that? Well, this blood contains special cells called hematopoietic stem cells which means that they are capable of developing into various types of blood cells, including those found in bone, heart, muscle, and nerve cells. This means that they can be used to treat over 70 illnesses that require stem cell transplants.Here is a list of the pros and cons we’ve compiled of cord blood banking to help you decide whether this process is for you:
Pros
- Collecting cord blood is harmless and risk-free to both you and your baby. After birth, the umbilical cord is cut and the blood is drained from the cord.
- As already mentioned, the cells extracted from cord blood can be used to treat numerous severe illnesses, including genetic disorders, immunodeficiencies, and neurological diseases, and potentially save someone’s life.
- Cord blood stems can be used to support the immune system of cancer patients.
- Stem cells extracted from cord blood are of more use than those received from bone marrow. This is due to the fact that cord blood does not have to match up with the recipient of the blood as much as is the case with bone marrow.
- Donating to a public cord bank is usually free.
- Storing in a private bank means that you can easily retrieve the donation later if your baby or another family member requires it.
Cons
- You and your support system will have to spend a bit of time during pregnancy preparing for the blood donation and collection. Not all hospitals collect donations so research in this regard is required. A screening process is also needed before donating to public banks.
- Not everyone is eligible to donate cord blood, depending on a number of factors such as your medical history.
- Some hospitals may charge a small fee for public banking.
- Storing your cord blood in a private bank can prove very costly, when encompassing both the initial costs and annual fees for storage.
- Cord blood does not offer very many stem cells, meaning adults usually require cord blood from a few donors.
- Some research has found that those who donate cord blood are not able to do delayed cord clamping, which means that your newborn will not have the chance to receive these additional stem cells.
Cord blood banking offers both advantages and disadvantages. In essence, the main benefit is that the stem cells donated may be used in life-saving treatment. However, this process may be too expensive or time-consuming for some families which is understandable. Weighing up these pros and cons with respect to your personal situation will assist you in making this decision.
FAQs
Cord blood banking offers both advantages and disadvantages. In essence, the main benefit is that the stem cells donated may be used in life-saving treatment. However, this process may be too expensive or time-consuming for some families which is understandable.
What are the disadvantages of cord blood banking? ›
Disadvantages of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells
- Slow engraftment.
- Limited cell dose. — Small volume of unit. — Additional cell doses unavailable.
- Autologous donation may have limited benefit owing to hereditary disorders.
- Storage issues. — Unknown length of long-term storage. — Cost related to long-term storage. —
Doctors do not recommend that you bank cord blood on the slight chance that your baby will need stem cells someday. If your baby were to need stem cells, he or she would probably need stem cells from someone else rather than his or her own stem cells.
Who benefits from cord blood banking? ›
Cord blood banking is a choice for parents who want to preserve the blood of the umbilical cord and placenta of their baby to help with possible future medical needs of their child. It can also be used for other biologically matched children, either in their own family or the general public.
What are the disadvantages of stem cell preservation? ›
The lifetime probability of a baby using its own stored (banked) cord blood stem cells is less than 0.04% and hence this model is discouraged by medical bodies and stem cell transplantation experts in India and globally. Furthermore, cord blood from a single donor may not be sufficient for transplant in adults.
Is cord blood banking Ethical? ›
Nonetheless, collection and storage of cord blood raise ethical concerns with regard to patient safety, autonomy, and potential for conflict of interest. In addition, storage of umbilical cord blood in private as opposed to public banks can raise concerns about access to cord blood for transplantation.
What are the dangers of umbilical cord blood? ›
There are no risks to your baby, as cord blood collection does not start until after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. The risks to the mother are due to having a blood sample collected and may include discomfort, bruising and, rarely, infection at the site.
What is the average cost of cord blood banking? ›
If parents choose to store their infant's cord blood in a private bank, a collec- tion fee that ranges from $900 to $2000 and an annual storage fee of approximately $90 to $150 may be required. Fees vary between private banks. How do we decide whether to donate?
Does insurance pay for cord blood banking? ›
Some insurance providers will cover the cost of cord blood banking when collection is medically necessary. For example, depending on the provider, families with a history of leukemia or other blood disorders may be eligible for total or partial coverage of the costs of cord blood collection and storage.
Can parents use baby's cord blood? ›
A newborn's cord blood can be used by other family members, including siblings, parents, and grandparents. The child's blood type does not need to match the grandparent's for the cord blood to be used. Instead, as long as the recipient is a qualifying HLA match to the child, the cord blood is safe to use.
The 7 Best Cord Blood Banks of 2023
- Best Overall: Cord Blood Registry (CBR)
- Best Value: Americord.
- Best Customer Support: Cryo-Cell.
- Best Variety and Flexibility: StemCyte.
- Best for Families With Medical Conditions: Viacord.
- Best for Placenta Banking: Lifebank USA.
- Best Processing Time: MiracleCord.
According to Cell Trials Data, a provider of data on clinical trials of advances cell therapy, cord blood banking rates are highest in the US, at 3% of births each year.
How long should you bank cord blood? ›
The stored blood can't always be used, even if the person develops a disease later on, because if the disease was caused by a genetic mutation, it would also be in the stem cells. Current research says the stored blood may be useful for only 15 years.
What are 3 cons of stem cells? ›
Cons
- Limitations on ASC ability to differentiate are still uncertain; currently thought to be multi or unipotent.
- Cannot be grown for long periods of time in culture.
- Usually a very small number in each tissue making them difficult to find and purify.
Risks to society and direct risks to research participants undergoing stem cell transplantation
- Tumour formation with embryonic stem cells. ...
- Inappropriate stem cell migration and neurological complications. ...
- Immune rejection of transplanted stem cells. ...
- Neurosurgical haemorrhage and postoperative infection.
Usually, the umbilical cord and placenta are discarded after birth. If a mother chooses to have her cord blood collected, the health care team will do so after the baby is born. With a sterile needle, they'll draw the blood from the umbilical vessels into a collection bag.
What is the main disadvantage of using umbilical cord blood stem cells? ›
The umbilical cord contains a small amount of cord blood. Sometimes there isn't enough for a stem cell transplant into an older child or adult. Also, stem cells from cord blood may take longer to start making blood cells than stem cells from bone marrow stem cells.
Is it better to donate or keep cord blood? ›
Typically the umbilical cord and placenta are discarded after your baby is born—unless you decide otherwise. You can choose to have your baby's cord blood collected and donated to a public cord blood bank, stored in a family (private) cord blood bank, or saved for a biological sibling who has a diagnosed medical need.
