Cord blood banking has become a topic of interest for many expectant parents looking to secure potential medical benefits for their child or others in need. While cord blood is rich in powerful stem cells, many people are unsure whether to store it privately or donate it publicly. Learning about the process and its possible benefits allows families to make a well-informed decision that aligns with their needs.
What Is Cord Blood?
Following birth, a small volume of blood stays in the umbilical cord and placenta. This cord blood contains powerful hematopoietic stem cells that can develop into various blood cells. These versatile cells play a crucial role in treating conditions like blood disorders, immune system deficiencies, and specific cancers through transplants.
How Cord Blood Banking Works
Cord blood banking preserves the valuable blood left in the umbilical cord after birth for possible future medical use. This quick and painless process does not impact the baby or birthing parent. After the baby is born, a healthcare professional safely gathers the remaining cord blood, which is then processed and preserved in a dedicated cord blood bank.
Cord blood banks fall into two categories:
- Public banks accept free donations and make stored cord blood available to anyone who needs it.
- Private banks store cord blood solely for the donor’s family, charging fees for both collection and long-term storage.
Who Can Donate Umbilical Cord Blood?
Not everyone is eligible to donate umbilical cord blood. Public cord blood banks have specific requirements to ensure the quality of the collected blood. Parents interested in donating should consult their doctor after 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Donors typically undergo a screening process to check for infections, genetic disorders, and immune system conditions. The cord blood also goes through testing after collection. Some hospitals do not participate in public banking, so parents need to confirm availability in advance.
How to Donate Cord Blood
Donating cord blood involves several steps:
- Talk to a healthcare provider early in pregnancy to discuss eligibility and options.
- Choose a participating hospital that works with a public cord blood bank.
- Complete the required consent forms before labor begins.
- Undergo screening tests to ensure the cord blood is safe for donation.
- Allow the healthcare team to collect the cord blood after delivery.
The process takes about 10 minutes and does not interfere with the birthing experience. If there are complications during labor, doctors will prioritize the safety of the parent and baby over collection.
Do You Get Paid for Donating Cord Blood?
No, you do not get paid to donate cord blood. Donating cord blood to a public bank is completely voluntary and does not come with financial compensation. Public cord blood donation comes at no cost and has the potential to save lives. In contrast, private banking requires families to pay for collection, processing, and ongoing storage.
Costs of Cord Blood Banking
Public cord blood donation has no fees, while private banking requires families to pay for collection, processing, and ongoing storage.
The initial collection and processing fee ranges from $1,500 to $2,500, while annual storage fees cost around $125 per year. Some private banks offer payment plans, but the total cost can be significant over time.
Uses of Cord Blood Stem Cells
Cord blood stem cells can treat a variety of conditions, particularly in children and young adults. These include:
- Blood disorders such as sickle cell disease and anemia
- Immune system disorders like severe combined immunodeficiency
- Genetic conditions that affect blood cell production
- Certain cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma
A key limitation is that a person’s cord blood may not always be useful for treating genetic conditions or cancers, since the stem cells contain the same genetic mutations that caused the disease. In such cases, a donor’s stem cells are required.
Is Private Cord Blood Banking Worth It?
Medical experts, including ACOG and AAP, advise public donation over private banking since most transplants require stem cells from unrelated donors.
However, private banking may be beneficial if:
- A sibling has a condition treatable with stem cells.
- There is a family history of blood disorders or immune system conditions.
- Parents want to ensure access to stem cells for potential future use.
For most families, public donation is the best option. It increases the chances of finding a match for patients in need while advancing medical research.
Can Adults Use Cord Blood for Treatment?
Cord blood contains fewer stem cells than bone marrow, making it less effective for adults who need a transplant. Most adult patients require multiple units of cord blood from different donors.
Despite this limitation, cord blood transplants can still be life-saving, especially for children and young adults who cannot find a suitable bone marrow match.
How Long Can Cord Blood Be Stored?
Properly stored in liquid nitrogen, cord blood can remain viable for decades while retaining its usefulness for medical treatments. Studies suggest that stem cells remain functional even after 20+ years in storage. However, ongoing research continues to assess their long-term effectiveness.
What Happens if There Isn’t Enough Cord Blood Collected?
Sometimes, healthcare providers cannot collect enough cord blood for a successful transplant. This can happen if the umbilical cord contains too little blood or if collection is interrupted. In such cases, the sample might not qualify for storage or be suitable for transplantation.
The Power of Cord Blood Donation
Cord blood banking plays a crucial role in advancing medical treatments and saving lives. Donating to a public bank gives patients battling severe illnesses a chance at recovery. Families thinking about private banking should carefully consider the costs and the likelihood of needing the stored blood. Being informed about the process allows parents to make a decision that benefits both their family and the larger community.