In the 1970s, researchers discovered that umbilical cord blood, could supply the exact same stem cells as a bone marrow transplant. For this reason, some parents are choosing to collect and bank umbilical cord blood, as a precaution against future disease. While the procedure is beneficial in come cases, the expense, and limited scope, for cord blood use is largely prohibitive for parents.
Planning for blood collection starts long before birth. Parents must discuss the procedure with their obstetrician, as well as order the collection kit, well ahead of time. Also, parents have a better chance of collecting more blood if their baby is delivered vaginally, as opposed to Cesarean-section.
Obstetricians begin by placing clamps on either end of the umbilical cord. Then, after cutting the cord, they collect blood by inserting a tube into the umbilical vein. Also, when the placenta is delivered, obstetricians will collect blood from the large blood vessels on the surface of the placenta. The procedure is painless, for both mother, and baby.
Once blood is collected, it is placed in syringes, or bags. From there, the blood is taken to either a public, or private, blood bank. Stem cells are then separated from the blood, and are cryogenically frozen. Most researchers think that the frozen components will last indefinitely, but research is not yet conclusive. The quantity of components collected, however, is sufficient only for transplantation in humans who weigh up to 115 pounds.
Certain families make excellent candidates for banking. Families with members who have a history of leukemia, lymphoma, anemias, or certain immunodeficiencies, should consider banking. Families who have members who have current, or potential need, for a bone marrow transplant, should definitely consider storing cord blood. Some families may even choose to donate their infant's blood to a public bank, although only a handful of hospitals currently accept donations.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has weighed in on the subject of banking. The AAP estimates that the likelihood of a person needing their own cord blood is about 1 in 20,000. For this reason, they do not recommend banking for families who have no history of disease, and no urgent needs for transplantation. Also, the AAP notes that cord blood provides a limited number of stem cells, not sufficient in quantity for adult transplantation.
Transplants may be either autologous or allogeneic. Autologous transplants occur when someone receives a transplant of his or her own stem cells. An allogeneic transplant, on the other hand, occurs when a person receives stem cells donated by another person, usually a relative, or an anonymous donor. At this time, it is unknown whether donations from a relative provide superior treatment to donations from an unrelated person.
Banking is quite expensive. Parents pay the cost for the kit, which is generally about $2,000, as well as an annual storage fee. Donation to a public bank, however, costs nothing, and may be arranged through the American Red Cross. Parents should discuss their child's likelihood of needing stem cells in the future, in order to decide if banking is right for them.
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