Umbilical cord blood banking involves the collection of the newborn baby's cord blood, which is then processed to filter out the stem cells. The collection process is performed in the moments following a child's birth. The stem cells are stored so they're available in the event that the child or a sibling (and, in rare cases, a parent) requires treatment for an illness or disease like cancer, Hodgkin's Disease and even anemia.
What are the Benefits of Banking Umbilical Cord Blood?
A newborn baby's umbilical cord blood is one of the few sources of stem cells. They are unique in that they are not yet specialized. In layman's terms, the stem cells have not yet received their "assignment" for what type of cell they will ultimately become. Cells in the blood are very different from those found in the bones, skin, muscles, spinal cord or heart. Each organ and part of the body is comprised of a unique cell type and stem cells are versatile in that they can be used in multiple body systems.
The umbilical cord blood's stem cells are very useful for treating diseases like cancer. For instance, a cancer patient may undergo chemotherapy to kill off the diseased bone marrow. But the body cannot survive without these cells, so the patient must receive a transplant. Many patients die while waiting to find a suitable a bone marrow donor, but individuals who have banked their child's cord blood can use this for the transplant. Once transplanted into the patient, they mature and specialize.
Banked blood can be used to treat the child and immediate family members such as siblings and parents. This is appealing to many families, as it reduces the chances that they'll need to undergo a lengthy search for a suitable bone marrow donor if the child develops leukemia or another form of cancer. The child has a better chance of survival since there is no wait to find a donor, and a precise match is not required for the immature stem cells that are retrieved from the cord blood. This also translates into a lower chance of rejection.
Individuals with a family history of cancer, and parents of children with a genetic abnormality or another condition that leaves them more prone to developing cancer are wise to bank their newborn's cord blood. For instance, a baby who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome is more likely to develop leukemia during childhood and a child who suffers from xeroderma pigmentosum has a high risk of developing basal cell carcinoma, squamus cell carcinoma and other malignancies.
How is Umbilical Cord Blood Collected and Where is it Stored?
The collection process is painless and fairly simple. In the moments after birth, the child's umbilical cord is clamped and severed. The physician will then drain the blood into a sterile container.
Following collection, the blood is promptly transported to a banking facility, where it is frozen in a tank of liquid nitrogen. It remains at the bank until it's required to treat an illness or until the family decides they longer wish to store it.
The collection process is associated with one risk: The sooner the cord is clamped, the more blood will be trapped inside. But if it's clamped and cut too soon, the baby can suffer adverse health effects. These effects can be especially pronounced in a child who is experiencing other health problems and instabilities shortly after birth.
How Much Does it Cost?
The most significant "con" is the cost. Umbilical cord blood banking can be fairly expensive and there's a strong possibility that the blood may never need to be utilized. There is a significant fee that must be paid shortly before the birth -- a time when parents are faced with many other expenditures such as medical bills, clothing, supplies and furniture for the newborn. Many new parents also take off time from work.
A survey of several programs revealed that the average costs are as follows:
- There is a one-time fee of approximately $1,500 when the cord blood is initially brought to the bank, and;
- A yearly cost of approximately $120, which amounts to an average of $10 per month.
Most families can afford the $10 per month fee, but many young families may find the $1,500 fee prohibitive. One strategy that a family may employ involves requesting monetary donations instead of gifts at their baby shower. Parents may also save a couple hundred dollars per month throughout the pregnancy.
Planning for Cord Blood Banking
Notably, if you wish to bank or donate your baby's cord blood, you must make arrangements prior to delivery.
If you opt for donation, the blood will be collected and transported to a public bank, where it will be made available to individuals who are in need of a transplant. The donation will be performed at not cost to the family, though the mother must meet the established health criteria in order to be eligible.
In the United States, most donations are provided to the Be The Match Registry, which is operated by The National Marrow Donor Program. According to Marrow.org, the donation may be used for research if there are are an insufficient number of stem cells, so few that it's inappropriate for transplantation.
Expecting mothers may also enjoy reading about another decision that will need to be made during pregnancy – the decision of whether to learn the baby's gender before birth. Some women who are planning a family may wonder, "Can I Pick My Baby's Gender?"
Pregnant women may also wish to learn about the many over-the-counter baby gender tests that are available.
Sources:
- Marrow.org, "Cord Blood Donation: Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed June 2010.
- Health.com, "Pregnancy: Should I Bank My Baby's Cord Blood?" Accessed June 2010.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
Join the Conversation