Cord blood, once routinely discarded, is now recognized for its significant medical potential. This biological material, found in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth, contains specialized cells that can be preserved for future use. The decision to donate or store cord blood offers a unique opportunity to contribute to medical treatments and research. This process is generally straightforward and safe for both the birthing parent and the newborn.
Understanding Cord Blood
Cord blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. This blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), building blocks of the blood and immune system. These stem cells can differentiate into various types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
HSCs from cord blood are more primitive than those from adult bone marrow or peripheral blood. This contributes to their high proliferative potential, extended lifespan in storage, lower risk of graft-versus-host disease (a common complication in stem cell transplants), and more flexible genetic matching.
How Cord Blood Donation Works
Donating cord blood involves meeting eligibility criteria to ensure safety and viability. Eligibility generally requires the birthing parent to be at least 18 years old and provide a comprehensive health history. Screening includes tests for infectious diseases in the parent and a review of the baby’s health. Certain medical conditions, recent tattoos or piercings, or family medical histories might affect eligibility.
The collection process is non-invasive and poses no risk or pain to the birthing parent or baby. It takes place immediately after birth, once the umbilical cord is clamped and cut but before the placenta is delivered. A healthcare provider inserts a sterile needle into the umbilical cord vessels, allowing blood to flow into a collection bag. This typically takes around three minutes.
After collection, the cord blood unit is transported to a specialized cord blood bank for processing. This includes checking cell count, testing for infectious diseases, tissue-typing, and preparing for long-term storage, often by cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen. Donor confidentiality is maintained by assigning a unique identification number, ensuring personal identities are not linked to the public registry.
Public Versus Private Banking
Expectant parents have two primary options for cord blood banking: public donation or private storage. Public banking involves donating cord blood for altruistic use by any patient needing a stem cell transplant. There is no cost for collection, processing, or storage. Once donated, it becomes part of a public registry, like Be The Match, making it available to patients worldwide who require a matching unit.
Conversely, private banking involves paying a fee to store the baby’s cord blood exclusively for family use. This option incurs substantial costs, typically an initial collection and processing fee of $1,500 to $4,000, plus annual storage fees of $100 to $300. While private banking ensures exclusive access, the stored unit may not be suitable for treating certain genetic conditions or cancers if the original cells carry the underlying defect.
Why Cord Blood is Donated
Cord blood is a source of stem cells used to treat a range of medical conditions. These stem cells are approved for treating over 80 diseases and disorders, including various cancers like leukemias and lymphomas. They also treat blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and aplastic anemia.
Beyond blood-related conditions, cord blood is used for immune system disorders, such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), and inherited metabolic disorders. Research continues to explore new applications in regenerative medicine, including investigational therapies for neurological conditions like cerebral palsy, autism, stroke, and brain injuries.