Cord blood harvesting

Definition

Cord blood harvesting is a process that occurs shortly after a baby’s birth, where blood is collected from the umbilical cord and placenta. This blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells that can be used in the treatment of a number of diseases, including certain cancers and blood disorders. The collected cord blood can be stored in a cord blood bank for future use.

Key Takeaways

1. Cord blood harvesting refers to the collection of blood left in a newborn’s umbilical cord and placenta which takes place immediately after the baby is born. This practice is essential because cord blood is rich in stem cells that can be used in medical treatments.
2. It’s a safe, painless, and non-invasive procedure that doesn’t affect the childbirth process or pose any significant health risks to the mother or baby. However, it must be decided upon and arranged before the birth.
3. The collected cord blood can either be stored in private cord blood banks for future use by the child or their family members or donated to public cord blood banks to help patients who need stem cell transplants.

Importance

Cord blood harvesting, also known as umbilical cord blood banking, is an important term in motherhood due to its potential medical applications.

This practice involves collecting and preserving the blood from the umbilical cord right after childbirth.

This cord blood is rich in stem cells, which can be used to treat various diseases and conditions like leukemia, lymphoma, anemia, and certain immune system disorders.

These cells have the potential to grow into any type of cell in the body, providing a non-invasive source for possible future medical treatments for the child or a compatible family member.

Hence, understanding the significance of cord blood harvesting plays a crucial role in making informed choices about postnatal healthcare.

Explanation

Cord blood harvesting refers to the collection of blood left in a newborn’s umbilical cord and placenta immediately after birth. It serves a significant purpose as this blood is rich in stem cells, which are unique cells that can differentiate into different types of cells in the body.

Stem cells harvested from cord blood can be used to treat various diseases, including blood disorders, immune deficiencies and certain types of cancers. Because these cells can regenerate and create new, healthy cells, they hold great promise in the field of regenerative medicine.

The primary use of cord blood is in stem cell transplantation, similar to bone marrow transplantation. The extracted stem cells can be utilized to rebuild a person’s blood and immune system, making them an invaluable tool in treating conditions like leukemia and lymphoma, certain anemias, and metabolic disorders.

Additionally, because these cells come from the newborn, they are genetically tailored to that individual, significantly reducing the risk of an adverse response or rejection when used in treatments. In some cases, these cells may also be suitable for treating siblings or parents, expanding their potential benefits.

Examples of Cord blood harvesting

Example 1: At the time of the birth of a baby, in a hospital in New York, the doctor harvested the cord blood after clamping and cutting the umbilical cord – preserving it because the cord blood is rich in stem cells which can potentially be used in future to treat certain illnesses the child may develop, like leukemia or lymphoma.

Example 2: In a maternity clinic in London, the parents decided to store their newborn’s cord blood in a private cord blood bank. This practice, known as cord blood harvesting, provides a source of stem cells should their child or a family member need a stem cell transplant due to a medical condition.

Example 3: A couple in Sydney were advised to do cord blood harvesting for their imminent twins due to a family history of genetic disorders. The harvested cord blood was stored as an insurance policy against potential health issues. The colder temperatures of the storage facilities ensure the longevity of the stem cells in the cord blood, providing potential lifesaving cells for treatment.

Cord Blood Harvesting FAQ

1. What is cord blood harvesting?

Cord blood harvesting is the process of collecting and storing the blood found in your newborn’s umbilical cord and placenta immediately after birth. This blood is rich in stem cells which can be used to treat many medical conditions.

2. Why should parents consider cord blood harvesting?

Parents should consider cord blood harvesting as cord blood stem cells have the potential to treat over 80 diseases including certain cancers, immune disorders and blood disorders. In addition, Cord blood stem cells are easier to match than bone marrow cells.

3. How is cord blood collected?

After the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, a needle is inserted into the umbilical vein on the part of the cord that’s still attached to the placenta. The blood drains through the needle into a bag.

4. Is cord blood collection harmful to the mother or baby?

Not at all. Cord blood collection is completely safe. It is taken after the baby is born and the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. Neither the mother nor the baby is touched during the collection.

5. How long can cord blood be stored?

When properly stored, cord blood is thought to be able to be stored indefinitely. Long-term studies on the viability of cord blood suggest that cord blood stem cells do not significantly deteriorate over time.

6. What is the cost of cord blood banking?

The cost of cord blood banking varies between different cord blood banks and often depends on whether you are storing cord blood, cord tissue, or both. The initial cost also includes the collection kit, processing, and first year of storage.

7. Should I donate my baby’s cord blood to a public bank?

Donating your baby’s cord blood to a public bank can potentially help someone with a life-threatening disease. It’s particularly important if you are a member of an ethnic minority, because these groups are under-represented in cord blood banks.

Related Motherhood Terms

• Stem Cells
• Umbilical Cord Blood
• Birth Tissue
• Cord Blood Banking
• Neonatal Health

Sources for More Information

• Mayo Clinic: A renowned hospital and research group with a wealth of medical information, including articles on cord blood banking.
• WebMD: A trusted online medical source that provides extensive information on a wide variety of health topics, including cord blood harvesting.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The national public health institute of the United States provides a vast array of health information, including details about cord blood collection.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): The United States’ medical research agency—a reliable source for medical studies and reports, potentially including those concerning cord blood banking.