Is Private Cord Blood Banking Worthy?

Expecting a baby is one of the beautiful yet important phases of life. Several decisions are to be made and what to do with your newborns cord blood is just one of them. Cord blood is a precious commodity that is collected from a newborn right after birth. Being a rich source of stem cells, cord blood is currently used to treat more than 80 diseases including several forms of cancers, immune disorders, blood disorders and genetically inherited diseases to mention a few. Parents may discard it, donate it to public banks or store it in a private cord blood banking facility. Storing cord blood and tissue at private banks may cost you whereas donations are free of cost. Cord blood donated to the public bank is used either for medical research or stem cell transplants. 

Private cord blood banking have been gaining immense popularity in the recent times, as you can find its marketing pitches everywhere – at doctor’s waiting rooms, pregnancy related mobile apps, parenting magazines and more. The month of July is even considered as National Cord Blood Awareness Month. But according to the doctors, parents need to be very cautious when signing up for the private cord blood storage. Expectant parents need to think long and hard before taking an informed decision. Banking your newborns cord blood at a private bank is an expensive affair, as the processing fees can run from roughly $500 to $2,500 with the annual storage fees of $100 to $300 each year thereafter. 

Most of the parents who opt for private cord blood banking consider it as a precious resource and biological life insurance for their kid. Even though, the chances of your child benefiting from his or her own cord blood are less than 0.04 percent. This is because the cord blood contains the same cells and genetic defects that are responsible for the diseases in the first place. So, the best case is to choose private banking only if your family has a medical history of diseases currently treatable with cord blood. Talk with your doctor in order to discuss all the possibilities and take a wise decision.

Is Private Cord Blood Banking Worth the Money?

An expectant parent needs to take a number of important decisions in order to ensure the future health of their child. What to do with the newborn’s cord blood is a case in point. Blood present in the umbilical cord is an abundant source of stem cells which makes it a valuable lifesaving resource. It can be used to treat an array of debilitating conditions such as leukaemia, lymphoma and anaemia to mention a few. And that is why cord blood banking have been gaining wide acceptance like never before. With the remarkable advancements in the stem cell research, the field of cord blood stem cell technology is all geared up to transform the regenerative medicine in many ways. Expectant parents can discard it, donate it to a public cord blood bank or store it in private cord blood banks. 

You need to take several factors into consideration before taking a decision. Having a look at your family medical history is one of them. Check whether there are any heritable diseases running in your family that can be treated with cord blood. Have a brief discussion with your family members and seek the guidance of your family doctor. Private cord blood banks store your baby’s cord blood for an annual fee so that the family can use it at the time of need. If you have decided to bank your baby’s cord blood, then it is advised to do a detailed research to find an accredited and reputed family cord blood bank.

Public cord blood banks allow families to donate the blood at free of cost. Cord blood donated to such public facilities is used for transplants or medical research. No matter whether you are planning to store or donate cord blood, it is essential to check out the eligibility criteria of cord blood banking.

Why Donate Cord Blood and Tissue?

Stem cell-rich blood present in the umbilical cord of a new born is termed as cord blood (CB). Until recently, this blood was discarded along with the placenta right after the child birth. But with the recent advancements and remarkable benefits of stem cell research, scientists have discovered its life saving potential. Cord blood stem cells can be used to treat more than 80 life-threatening diseases. It is also considered as a better alternative to bone marrow transplants. Moreover, the future perspectives of CB and umbilical cord tissue look bright and promising. And that is why new-born baby’s cord blood banking has been gaining wide acceptance over the past decade. If you are an expectant parent, then you might be faced with a challenging question – whether or not to bank your baby’s cord blood and tissue? For many, the answer depends on their family medical history, financial structure and personal preference. 

Most of the parents-to-be who can’t afford the higher costs of private cord blood banking may decide to discard the CB after the child birth. On the other hand, if you decide to donate the cord blood and umbilical cord tissue, then it can be a life-saving option for someone. Patients with leukemia, lymphoma or other debilitating conditions can be treated with the cord blood stem cell transplant. Donation of cord blood to a public bank is free. When you donate your newborn’s cord blood, it will be listed on the registry and provided to a patient who needs transplant quickly. 

If you have decided to donate your baby’s cord blood, then you need to discuss the same with your doctor. Go through the eligibility criteria for public cord blood donation and check whether you meet them. Find more information about the list of hospitals that are tied up with the public cord blood banks so that you can work through the enrolment process.

What is cord blood banking?

Cord blood banking is when cord blood is collected and stored for treating a disease

or illness.

              -Types of cord blood bank:

     -Public banks:
If you give birth in one of three hospitals in the south east of England, you can donate
cord blood to a public bank, such as the NHS cord blood bank. There is also a small
NHS public bank in Belfast in Northern Ireland (See section Is there anything else I
should know?). Donation is voluntary and collection and storage are free of charge. A
public bank stores cord blood for use by anyone anywhere in the world, thus ensuring
fair access for all patients requiring stem cell transplantation. It is an alternative to a
volunteer bone marrow donor registry.

The RCOG supports public banking and donation to the NHS cord blood bank.
If there is a known genetic condition in your family or you already have a child with
leukaemia or blood-related disorder, your clinician may recommend that you consider
banking your baby’s cord blood. Your clinician may be able to arrange for cord blood to
be collected and stored in the NHS cord blood bank for future use by your family. You
should also discuss this with the doctor looking after the person in your family who is ill.

     -Private (commercial) banks:
People can store cord blood with a private bank in the hope that, in the future, cord
stem cells may be useful, should a member of their own family develop a disease
treatable by stem cell therapy.

The chances of your child ever needing to use his or her own cord blood are extremely
small, so there is no guarantee that the cord blood will ever be needed. Nevertheless,
you may feel this is worthwhile, like an insurance policy.

There is a fee for collection and long-term storage of up to £1,500. Depending on
circumstances, some private banks may store cord blood free of charge for certain
families where there is a known genetic condition.

If you have not banked with a private bank and your child develops a blood-related
disorder, immune system disorder or metabolic storage disorder in the future, then
you still have other options. These are:

•        ●  Cord blood from a public bank in the UK or internationally.

•        ●  Use of other sources of therapy such as bone marrow transplants. There is a worldwide collaboration with international bone marrow registries to find suitable matches for patients who require a bone marrow transplant.

•       ●  Treatment from a sibling who matches a family member who can give bone marrow.

Full written information on the private banking policy at your hospital should be given
to you at your antenatal booking appointment. This information may not be given
routinely, so you may need to ask if you would like to find out more.

The RCOG remains unconvinced about the benefit of storing cord blood with a private bank for families who have no known medical reason to do so.

               -How is cord blood collected safely?

     -The cord blood must be collected safely. It is important that:

•     ●  A trained technician who is not involved in your or your baby’s care collects the cord blood. It is important that neither your obstetrician nor your midwife should be distracted from looking after you and your baby during and immediately after childbirth. 

•     ●  There should be no alteration in your ‘usual management’ of labour, such as the delivery of the placenta or clamping of the cord. Some evidence indicates that immediate cord clamping may be harmful to babies. However, delaying cord clamping can prevent a successful cord blood collection.

•     ●  Cord blood should be collected after the placenta has been delivered in a clean environment using methods and facilities, which meet the required regulations including the EU Tissue and Cells Directive.

     -Cord blood collection may not be advisable or possible if:

•     ●  The baby is premature.
•     ●  You have a multiple pregnancy.
•     ●  The cord around the neck needs to be cut early to deliver the baby.
•     ●  You are delivered by emergency caesarian section.
•     ●  You are being prescribed certain medication.
•     ●  You or the father of the baby have tested positive for a transmissible infection(s).

              -Making an informed decision:

If you are considering private banking you should discuss this with your doctor or

midwife. You may wish to consider the following points:

•     ●   Not all hospitals allow collection by private banks. You should ask about the private banking policy at your hospital during your antenatal booking appointment. Once you have made a decision about banking, you should let your doctor or midwife know.

•     ●   You may find that your midwife or obstetrician has been advised by their the professional organisation not to collect blood for a private bank.

•     ●   There are a number of uncertainties surrounding cord blood storage. For instance, who owns the cord blood legally? What are your rights if the facility storing the cord blood breaks down and the cord blood becomes unusable?

•     ●   Private banks are run by private companies. If you decide to bank through a private company, you will enter into a contract between yourself and the company. It is your responsibility to check that you are happy with all the terms and conditions of the contract. Some private companies make additional charges to screen for bacterial diseases.

•     ●   Since April 2006, all UK cord blood banks come under the EU Directive on tissue Cells 2004/23/EC and are required to be licensed by the Human Tissue authority (HTA). Cord blood should be collected and banked in accordance with this. If you choose to use a private bank, it is your responsibility to check that the private bank is approved and follows correct procedures.

              -Some questions to ask are as follows:

•     ●   Is the bank accredited/licensed for storage of cord blood?
•     ●   If it is a UK bank, has it been licensed by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA)?
•     ●   Does the bank follow proper collection procedures?
•     ●   What happens if no stem cells are collected?
•     ●   Does the bank follow best practice testing regimens?
•     ●   Does the bank follow best practice sample storage?
•     ●   Where is the cord blood stored?
•     ●   Is the transportation to the storage facility checked to ensure the blood is kept appropriately?
•     ●    When is the stored cord blood no longer useful?
•     ●   What happens to the cord blood when it is no longer needed?
•     ●   Who is responsible for screening the blood to ensure that HIV/hepatitis positive cord blood is stored separately?
•     ●   Could my child or any of my children use the cord blood, if I am not around?
•     ●   What will happen to my cord blood, if the bank is no longer functioning in the future?

              -Useful additional information:

A Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Banks:

"www.cordbloodbank.com"

The Society of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists of Canada patient information leaflet:

"www.sogc.org/health/pdf/cord-bloodfinal_e.pdf"

The Anthony Nolan Trust is a charity that recruits and registers bone marrow donors:

"www.anthonynolan.org.uk"

              -Is there anything else I should know?

•    ●   The commercial company advertising itself as the UK Cord Blood Bank is not the same as the NHS Cord Blood Bank.

•    ●   The hospitals that routinely collect cord blood for storage in a public bank are Northwick Park Hospital in Middlesex, Barnet Hospital in Hertfordshire, the Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust in Luton and the Mater Hospital Trust in Belfast.

              -Get now What is cord blood banking (video):

Just like we didn't envision the powers of PCs thirty years ago, we may not be seeing all the uses of cord blood yet.
                                                                                       Dr. LeeAnn Jensen

What is cord blood?

What is cord blood?

Before a baby is born he is connected to his mother by the umbilical cord and placenta. They allow nutrients to flow from the mother into the baby. After a baby is born his umbilical cord is cut and he is detached from the mother. The remaining umbilical cord and placenta, called the afterbirth, is expelled from the mother’s body minutes after the baby is born. Usually, the doctors and nurses throw it away. However, there is blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta, and this blood can be collected and used to help someone. It is called ‘cord blood’.

• What is cord blood used for? 

Cord blood has been used in the treatment of more than 70 different diseases so far. The most common disease category has been leukemia. The next largest group are inherited diseases (of red blood cells, the immune system, and certain metabolic abnormalities.) Patients with "lymphoma", "myelodysplasia" and severe "aplastic" anemia have also been successfully transplanted with cord blood. 
"Cord blood" is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth. Umbilical cord blood contains unique cells called "stem cells" what is Cord blood is collected after the baby is born and immediately after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. It is a painless, safe procedure. When cord blood is collected and stored, the stem cells are immediately available for transplantation.

• What's special about cord blood?

Cord blood stem cells can be used in the treatment of many life-threatening diseases including certain cancers and immune and genetic disorders. what is Cord blood stem cells have the ability to treat the same diseases as bone marrow with significantly less rejection? Stem cell research may also help provide new treatments for stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and muscular dystrophy, to name a few.

• Why store your baby’s umbilical cord blood?

Your baby's birth provides the once-in-a-lifetime chance to collect and freeze your baby's unique cord blood stem cells for their current uses, and future potential medical uses.
Cord blood stem cells are a perfect match for your baby, have a 25% probability of being an exact match for a sibling (even greater chances of being a viable match), and can be potentially used for parents and grandparents.

• What Are Cord Blood Registries?

A Cord Blood Registry, or what is Cord Blood Bank, refers to a private service that has been set up to allow you to store (or bank) the umbilical cord blood of your newborn son or daughter.
Cord blood registries are new services that are designed to allow you to save the stem cells found in cord blood from your child at the time of the birth. There currently is some debate on whether cord blood banking is yet a practical solution for parents concerned about the health of their children, but many consider it a simple life insurance against unforeseen illness.

• Is Cord Blood Storage Expensive?

At this time, cord blood bank storage services are not inexpensive. Many services will charge an upfront fee for the collection of cord blood (at the time of delivery), as well as yearly fees to store the blood. The current costs of cord blood storage are probably the biggest argument against it.

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