Understanding Umbilical Cord Blood Cells: Benefits, Collection, and Storage

What Are Umbilical Cord Blood Cells?

Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, unique cells capable of developing into various types of blood cells. These stem cells are crucial for their ability to regenerate and repair tissues, making them invaluable for medical treatments. Typically, the stem cells left in a baby’s umbilical cord and placenta are discarded after birth.

The Medical Use of Stem Cells

Stem cells from umbilical cord blood are used to generate new blood cells and have been successfully used to treat numerous medical conditions. Some key uses include:

• Leukemia Treatment:

  Stem cells can replace diseased blood cells with healthy ones, offering a potential cure for this type of blood cancer.

• Anemia Treatment:

  Certain forms of anemia, which involve the body not producing enough healthy red blood cells, can be treated with stem cells.

• Treatment of Other Conditions:

  Stem cells also may be used to treat immune deficiencies and metabolic disorders.

Collection of Cord Blood

The collection process for umbilical cord blood is straightforward and safe. After a baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, the leftover blood in the cord and placenta is collected. This process is painless and risk-free for both the mother and the baby.

Storing Cord Blood

Once collected, cord blood will be frozen and stored for future use. There are two main storage options:

1. Private Cord Blood Banks:

These facilities store cord blood specifically for your family, ensuring it is available. However, this service comes with costs, including initial processing and annual storage fees.

2. Public Cord Blood Banks: 

Cord blood donated to public banks is available for anyone in need and stored for free. However, this means the cord blood is not reserved for your family.

Public Cord Blood Banks: How They Work

Public cord blood banks operate under specific protocols to ensure the quality and usability of the stored stem cells:

• Collection: A trained professional collects the cord blood post-delivery.
• Testing: The blood is tested for cell count and screened for infections.
• Typing: The blood type and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type are determined and stored in a secure database.
• Storage: The cord blood is frozen and stored centrally, making it available to patients needing transplants.

It’s important to note that while using a public bank is free, the cord blood is not reserved for your family.

Private Cord Blood Banks: How They Work

Private cord blood banks offer a personalized service where the collected blood is reserved for your baby or family:

• Collection: The provider uses a kit supplied by the private bank to collect the blood during delivery.
• Processing and Storage: The blood is sent to the private bank, which is processed, frozen, and stored.
• Costs: Private banking involves an initial collection and processing fee and annual storage fees.

Deciding on Private Cord Blood Banking

When considering whether to store your baby’s cord blood in a private bank, several factors should be considered:

• Usage Likelihood: The chance of using stored cord blood is relatively low, estimated at one in 2,700.
• Quality Control: Some private banks may need to rigorously test the quality of the stored cells, which could lead to potential usability issues.
• Medical Opinion: Many doctors do not recommend using a child’s stem cells to treat conditions like leukemia due to potential genetic flaws in the cells.
• Family Medical History: Directed donation may be beneficial if the family has a known treatable condition.
• Adult Use: Due to the small quantity of cells, stem cells from umbilical cord blood are generally insufficient for treating adults.

For more information, visit reputable sources like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Marrow Donor Program. To learn more about umbilical cord blood banking options, discuss cord blood collection with your doctor at your next OB appointment.

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