What is Cord Blood Banking & Why You should opt it?

If you are an expectant parent, then you may have heard about the baby blood cord banking. Like most people, you may be wondering about the special features of the so-called cord blood. What is cord blood and what makes it so special? Blood present in the placenta and umbilical cord is termed as cord blood (CB). In addition to the normal elements of blood such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma, CB is rich in stem cells (Hematopoietic Stem Cells). Powerful stem cells can give rise to any tissue or organ cells of the body. Moreover, these master cells are unspecialised and can be used to replace or repair the tissues that have been damaged by diseases. Not only the cord blood, but the cord tissue also contains Mesenchymal Stem cells (MSCs) that have afforded promise in the treatment of medical conditions affecting cartilage, muscle and nerve cells. According to the scientists, cord tissue benefits and applications have a great role to play in the future of regenerative medicine research.

So now you are clear about what cord blood is. But have you ever thought how stem cells can treat the cancer conditions? Let us consider lymphoma as an example. It is a form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system (Immune system of our body). During the first stage, cancerous cells in the bone marrow are destroyed through chemotherapy and radiation procedures. The next step is to transplant the stem cells in bone marrow so that it can restore the function by producing blood forming cells and tissues of the body. As we mentioned earlier, cord blood stem cells have self-renewal properties which makes it a perfect alternative for bone marrow transplant. Moreover, umbilical cord blood possesses little risk of graft-versus-host disease which helps it to integrate with the body better. Currently, umbilical cord blood is used to treat more than 80 diseases including cancers, blood disorders, immune deficiency conditions and more. So to cut short, baby cord blood banking and cord blood donation is a life-saving medical service that you can opt for.

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Why You Should Give a Thought to Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking?

The field of stem cell biology has advanced the most over the last decade and the advancing technologies offer unique promise of regenerative medicine applications. Even though the embryonic stem cell harvesting and research has been surrounded by the social controversies, cord blood banking has managed to gain acceptance worldwide. Umbilical cord blood (CB), as the name indicates, is the blood present in the umbilical cord and placenta of the new born. According to the scientific findings, this blood is a rich source of stem cells. If you have been thinking about the significance of stemcell banking, then let us explain. Stem cells, also known as master cells possess self-renewal capability, which means it can act as an internal repair system. Differentiation and unspecialized nature are some of the unique properties that make stem cells highly valuable. Until recently, these master cells were harvested from blood and bone marrow. But with the discovery of stem cell presence in umbilical cord blood tissue, researchers have been encouraging the banking of new-born’s CB.  

Newborn baby’s cord bloodcan be either stored at a private bank or donated through a public bank. If you are an expectant parent, then it is essential to think through decisions. You may spend some time in research in order to check out the benefits of private cord blood banking and public cord blood donation. Once you are clear about the advantages of umbilical cord blood tissue storage and banking, you may have a detailed discussion with your doctor and family members. Have a look at your family health history to check whether there are any inherited diseases or conditions. If you are contemplating with the idea of banking your newborn baby’s cord blood,then make it a point to explore more about the private facilities. Keep in mind that CB cells have a remarkable potential to save lives and it would be a big mistake to discard it.

Milestones in Baby Cord Blood Banking History

Umbilical cord blood banking is a relatively new procedure that has been gaining wide acceptance over the past decade. Blood present in the umbilical cord and placenta is a rich source of adult stem cells. In the past, it was discarded as medical waste. But nowadays, after the child birth, the blood present in the cord is drawn to the sterile collection bank and sent to banks for storage or donation. Baby cord blood can be used to treat more than 80 diseases including cancers, blood disorders and immune deficiencies. Leukemia is one of the most common life-threatening conditions that can be treated with the umbilical cord blood stem cells. Moreover, several clinical trials are underway exploring the umbilical cord tissue benefits and therapeutic applications.  Stem cell research scientists have higher hopes that cord tissue cells can be used to treat the spinal cord injuries and heart damages in near future. So, the expectant families have three options before them – they can throw away the life-saving resource, donate it to a public bank or store it in a private bank. 

Baby cord blood banking industry has been evolving rapidly over the last decade. Why not check out the milestones in stem cell research and cord blood history? The world’s first umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) took place in France on October 1988. The patient was a five year old boy named Mattew Farrow suffering with Fanconi Anemia (FA). This incredible medical event was made possible through an international collaboration.  Dr. Arleen Auerbach, Dr. Hal Broxmeyer and Dr. Eliance Gluckman joined their hands to perform the first umbilical cord blood transplantation at Hospital Saint-Louis in Paris. Mattew Farrow received the donor stem cells from his newborn baby sister. Since then, the field of cord blood research and banking have come a long way and has the potential to revolutionise the field of stem cell research.

Addressing the Misconceptions about Cord Blood Banking

Have you heard about the stem cell research? If yes, then you might be familiar with its remarkable benefits and recent developments. Discovery of stem cell presence in the umbilical cord blood was a major milestone in the field of stem cell research. In the past, umbilical cord and placenta were discarded right after the child birth, as it was considered as medical waste. But things have changed now. Have you been wondering why save your baby’s cord blood? Stem cells present in the new-born’s cord bloodhave remarkable potential to treat numerous life-threatening diseases. Currently, cord blood stem cells are used in therapy regimens for the treatment of cancer, sickle-cell anaemia, genetic diseases, marrow failure and more. Moreover, several trials and research works are underway exploring the promising applications of umbilical cord blood. 

Even though cord blood (CB) is a potentially lifesaving resource, majority of the expectant parents chose to throw it away postpartum. Umbilical cord blood banking and donation is a relatively new concept that is surrounded by several set of misconceptions. This can be considered as one of the reasons that result in the disposal of umbilical cord and placenta.  However, if the expectant parents are knowledgeable about the benefits of saving their baby’s cord blood, then they might think about banking or donating the CB. Parents who find it hard to afford the private cord blood banking prices may consider donating CB to a public bank. Your baby’s cord blood may serve as a life-saving option for a cancer patient.

Some parents question about the safety of cord blood collection. However, the truth is that cord blood collection is a painless, safe and quick procedure that neither hurts the mother nor the baby. When you sign up for private banking or public donation, a collection kit will be provided. Blood is drawn to this sterile collection bag and sent to the laboratory for cryogenic preservation.  No matter whether you plan to donate or bank your baby’s cord blood, make it a point to collect as much information as possible and have an in-depth understanding regarding the same.

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