Umbilical cord blood banking

Definition

Umbilical cord blood banking is the process of collecting and storing the blood left in a newborn’s umbilical cord and placenta after birth. This blood is rich in stem cells, which can potentially be used to treat a variety of diseases. The banking of this blood provides a type of medical insurance, allowing for future use in stem cell therapies.

Key Takeaways

1. Umbilical cord blood banking is the process of collecting and preserving the blood left in your newborn’s umbilical cord, which can be potentially life-saving, containing stem cells that can treat a variety of diseases.
2. The umbilical cord blood can either be donated to a public bank for anyone who needs it, or stored in a private bank for your family’s potential use. The choice depends on various individual factors and preferences.
3. Even though cord blood banking has remarkable benefits, it’s not without risks and limitations. The chances of a family using their baby’s cord blood is relatively low, and the costs of private cord blood banking can be significant.

Importance

Umbilical cord blood banking is considered significant in motherhood because it offers the opportunity to preserve a rich source of potentially life-saving stem cells immediately after birth.

These cells are unique in that they have the ability to develop into various types of cells and tissues, thereby representing a potential resource for treating various diseases, such as leukemia, lymphomas, and certain genetic conditions.

As such, the process of cord blood banking provides an invaluable opportunity to capitalize on an otherwise discarded biological material, transforming it into a powerful tool for present and future therapeutic applications.

Explanation

Umbilical cord blood banking refers to the process of collecting and preserving the blood found in a newborn’s umbilical cord, immediately after birth. This blood is rich in stem cells, similar to those found in bone marrow, which have a proven track record in treating various medical conditions.

The purpose of cord blood banking is to safeguard these valuable cells so that they can be used for future medical treatments if required. The umbilical cord blood is often used for treating various types of cancer, blood disorders, immune deficiencies, and genetic disorders.

For example, it has been used in bone marrow transplants to treat diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. The advantage of using umbilical cord blood is that it does not need as an exact match as bone marrow or organ donations.

Hence, it can serve as a life-saving treatment where other treatment options have failed. It could also potentially be used in future treatments or cures for diseases that are currently incurable.

Examples of Umbilical cord blood banking

Cordlife Group Limited: Based in Singapore, Cordlife Group Limited is a well-established company in the industry and provides umbilical cord blood and cord lining banking. It is one of the largest network of stem cell banks in the world with over a million cord blood and cord lining units stored to date.

Cryo-Cell International: This is a company based in the U.S that offers umbilical cord blood and cord tissue banking. It was founded in 1989 and has performed over a million successful stem cell transplants. Cryo-Cell International provides mothers with the option to bank their newborn’s cord blood for potential use in the future.

Virgin Health Bank: Virgin Health Bank is a UK-based global stem cell bank that offers umbilical cord blood banking and healthcare research. Established in 2007, it’s part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group. The company enables parents to store their child’s umbilical cord blood and tissue, a rich source of stem cells, which can be used later in life for treatment of many diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions About Umbilical Cord Blood Banking

What is umbilical cord blood banking?

Umbilical cord blood banking involves collecting and storing the blood left in your newborn’s umbilical cord and placenta after birth. This blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells that can be used to treat various diseases in the future.

What diseases can be treated with cord blood?

Cord blood is used to treat more than 80 diseases today, such like leukemia, lymphoma, aplastic anemia, thalassemia, and various immune and metabolic disorders.

How is cord blood collected and stored?

The collection process is quick and painless. After the cord is clamped and cut, the remaining blood is drawn into a collection bag. It is then shipped to a cord blood bank where it is processed, tested and cryogenically stored.

What is the difference between public and private cord blood banking?

In public cord blood banking, your donation would be available for any patient in need. In private cord blood banking, your baby’s cord blood is stored exclusively for your family’s potential use.

What is the cost of cord blood banking?

The cost of private cord blood banking can vary widely, from around $1,000 to $2,500 for the initial collection, plus yearly storage fees of $100 – $300.

Related Motherhood Terms

• Stem cell transplants
• Cord blood collection process
• Public and private cord blood banks
• Medical uses of cord blood
• Costs and benefits of cord blood banking

Sources for More Information

• Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic is a leading expert in medical research and information. They provide well-researched, trusted information about a range of health topics, including umbilical cord blood banking.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC is a well-known and reliable source of health information, including umbilical cord blood banking, and their website features useful resources and guides.
• WebMD: WebMD is an online portal for health-related information. They provide extensive information on various health subjects, including the specifics of umbilical cord blood banking.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): ACOG is a leading organization of obstetricians and gynecologists, offering valuable insight into women’s health topics, including umbilical cord blood banking.