Vanessa Lin
Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which can be collected and stored for future use in stem cell treatments or clinical trials. The decision to store newborn stem cells is a personal one, but it's important to note that stem cells have the potential to grow into many types of cells and play a role in healing various diseases, including cancer, blood disorders, immune deficiencies, and metabolic diseases. While the chances of a child needing their own cord blood stem cells are low, estimated to be about 1 in 2,700, storing them can provide access to a wide range of treatment opportunities throughout their lifetime.
When considering how long to keep newborn stem cells, it's worth noting that cord blood banking is a relatively new service, and the scientific consensus is that stem cells can be stored indefinitely, ensuring their availability when needed. However, it's important to choose an accredited facility for storage, as the quality and viability of stored stem cells may vary over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are newborn stem cells? | Stem cells are immature cells that can assume the form of other cells. |
| Where are they found? | Stem cells are found in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. |
| How are they collected? | A doctor clamps the umbilical cord in two places and cuts the cord. They then insert a needle and collect at least 40 millilitres of blood from the cord. |
| How are they stored? | Stem cells are stored in public or private banks. Public banks are free and available to anyone, while private banks are exclusive to the baby and their family and incur a cost. |
| How long can they be stored? | It is believed that stem cells can be stored indefinitely, with current samples having been stored for up to 25 years. |
| What are they used for? | Stem cells can be used to treat blood cancers, immune disorders, metabolic diseases, and some cancers. |
What You'll Learn
Public vs private cord blood banking
Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, blood disorders, immune system disorders, sickle cell disease, metabolic diseases, and some kinds of cancers. Cord blood banking is the process of collecting and storing a newborn's umbilical cord blood, which can be done through public or private cord blood banks.
Public Cord Blood Banking
Public cord blood banks collect, process, and store donated umbilical cord blood for public use. Anyone can search for a genetic match in the nationwide network of public cord blood banks. Stem cells from public banks can only be used for FDA-approved treatments. There is no cost to donate to a public cord blood bank, but there are fees for withdrawing the stem cells for transfusion, which may be covered by insurance. Public cord blood banks are usually supported by federal or private funding. However, there are eligibility requirements that must be met to donate, and not all hospitals work with public cord blood banks.
Private Cord Blood Banking
Private cord blood banks allow families to store cord blood stem cells for themselves and their loved ones. Private cord blood banking ensures a perfect genetic match to the newborn and a partial match to other family members. The stem cells are immediately available if needed for treatment or to enrol the child in a clinical trial. Private cord blood banking requires paying collection, processing, and annual storage fees. However, most private cord blood banks offer a guarantee if the child's stem cells fail to engraft, and the family needs to find a matching donor from a public cord blood bank.
The decision to store cord blood with a private or public cord blood bank depends on individual circumstances and preferences. If you or your partner has a family history of a condition treatable with stem cells or if a family member needs a stem cell transplant, private cord blood banking may be the best option. On the other hand, public cord blood banking allows anyone to benefit from the donated stem cells and makes it possible for people needing a stem cell transplant to search for a match outside their family.
It is important for parents to research and consider all options before making a decision about cord blood banking, and they should talk with their healthcare provider to determine the best route.
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Cord blood collection process
The cord blood collection process is safe and harmless for both the mother and the baby. The process takes just a few minutes and is typically carried out by an obstetrician-gynaecologist or hospital staff. Here is a step-by-step guide to the cord blood collection process:
- Notify the Bank: Notify the cord blood bank in advance, usually six weeks or more before the due date. Some hospitals have collection kits on hand, while others may need to request them from the bank.
- Provide Medical History: Provide a detailed family medical history, and ensure the mother's blood is tested.
- Consent: Give consent for the procedure before labour begins. If choosing a private bank, you will also need to sign a contract and pay the collection fee.
- Birth and Clamping: After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut and clamped in two places, about 10 inches apart.
- Blood Extraction: A needle with a bag attached is inserted into the umbilical cord to draw out the blood. At least 40 millilitres of blood is collected.
- Sealing and Storage: The blood is then sealed in a bag and sent to a lab or cord blood bank. Here, it is tested, processed, and stored until a suitable match is found.
- Maternal Blood Collection: In some cases, the cord blood bank may also send tubes for collecting the mother's blood. The banking kit will include instructions and blood collection tubes for this purpose.
It is important to note that not all hospitals offer cord blood collection services, and some may charge a separate fee for the procedure. Additionally, there are two types of cord blood banks: public and private. Public banks do not charge for storage, and the donated cord blood is available for anyone who needs it. On the other hand, private banks charge a processing fee and annual storage fees.
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Cord blood storage options
Public Cord Blood Banks
Donating cord blood to a public bank is free of charge and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The blood is available to any patient who needs it. However, it may not be available to the family of origin if they ever need it. In 2016, cord blood was used to help 29% of patients who received a transplant in the US.
Private (Commercial) Cord Blood Banks
Private banks will store the donated blood for use by the donor and family members only. They can be expensive, charging an initial fee of $1,000 to $3,000, and an annual fee of $90 to $200. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have discouraged private storage as "biological insurance" in most cases.
Direct-Donation Banks
Direct-donation banks are a combination of public and private banks. They store cord blood for public use but also accept donations reserved for specific families. No fee is charged for this service.
Donating for Research
Cord blood can also be donated for research. Ask your doctor, midwife, or cord blood bank for more information.
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Cord blood stem cell treatments
Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells, which are valuable because they help treat many life-threatening diseases. Cord blood stem cells are used in transplants to rebuild a healthy blood and immune system in patients with certain cancers, blood disorders, metabolic disorders, and more.
Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which can turn into any kind of blood cell and be used for transplants that can cure diseases. These HSCs are "blood-forming" cells that can develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. In a stem cell transplant, they can be used to regenerate a new healthy blood and immune system in the patient.
Cord blood also contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are found in cord tissue and have been studied for their potential to stimulate the body's natural healing processes and repair or regenerate damaged tissues or organs. These cells have the potential to regulate immune responses, reduce inflammation, and stimulate tissue repair.
Stem cell transplants using cord blood are especially effective when the donor is a family member. Research shows that transplants using cord blood from a family member are twice as successful as transplants from a non-relative. However, it's important to note that a child usually cannot use their own cord blood.
Cord blood banking is the process of collecting and storing cord blood after delivery. There are two types of cord blood banks: public and private. Public cord blood banks are free and the donated blood can be used by anyone who needs it. Private cord blood banks, on the other hand, charge fees for processing and storage, and the donated blood is reserved for use by the donor and their family members.
The decision to bank cord blood is a personal one, and it's important to consider the costs and potential benefits. While the chances of needing to use cord blood are very low, it can be a valuable resource for families with a history of health conditions treatable with stem cells or with a family member in need of a stem cell transplant.
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Cord blood stem cell research
Cord blood stem cells have been used in transplant medicine for over 30 years. They are ""blood-forming" cells that can develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. In a stem cell transplant, they can be used to regenerate a new healthy blood and immune system in the patient.
Diseases That Can Be Treated
Cord blood stem cells have been used to treat nearly 80 conditions, including:
- Cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and neuroblastoma
- Bone marrow diseases requiring a transplant
- Anemia like sickle cell disease
- Certain immune system disorders
- Thalassemia
- Genetic disorders
Benefits of Cord Blood Stem Cells
Cord blood stem cells are valuable because they are easy to collect and have 10 times more stem cells than those collected from bone marrow. They rarely carry any infectious diseases and are half as likely to be rejected as adult stem cells.
Public vs. Private Cord Blood Banking
There are two types of cord blood banks: public and private (or family). Public cord blood banking is free and the donated blood can be used by anyone who needs it. Private cord blood banking, on the other hand, can cost thousands of dollars initially and hundreds of dollars in annual storage fees. The blood stored in private banks is reserved for the donor and their family members only.
Recommendations
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) neither recommends nor advises against cord blood banking. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association recommend against storing cord blood as a form of "biological insurance," as the benefits are too remote to justify the costs. Instead, they suggest donating to a public bank to help others.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not known exactly how long newborn stem cells can be stored, but the scientific consensus is that they can be stored indefinitely. So far, stored samples have been thawed and proven viable for up to about 25 years.
Newborn stem cells are stored via a process called cord blood banking. After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. A needle is then used to collect the blood, which is then sealed in a bag and sent to a lab or cord blood bank for testing and storage.
The cost of storing newborn stem cells varies depending on the service and location. In the UK, prices start from £550 for a cord blood-only service, plus an annual fee. In the US, private cord blood banks charge an initial fee of $1,000 to $2,000 and then a yearly fee of $100 to $200.
