Cord Blood Banking
WHAT IS CORD BLOOD BANKING?
Cord blood banking is the process where the blood from the placenta and the umbilical cord is drained (extracted) and saved immediately after the birth of a baby.
The placenta connects a pregnant female’s uterus to the umbilical cord which is in turn connected to the unborn baby. The placenta is also called the afterbirth.
The uterus is where the unborn baby develops during the 9 months of pregnancy. It is also known as the womb and is located in the pregnant female’s pelvis.
The umbilical cord is a collection of 3 blood vessels which connects the pregnant female to the unborn baby. These blood vessels transfer blood rich in nutrients and oxygen from the pregnant female to the unborn baby and waste from the unborn baby to the pregnant female.
WHAT IS A CORD BLOOD BANK?
A cord blood bank is where this blood from the placenta and umbilical cord is stored and saved for future medical use.
WHY WOULD SOMEONE WANT THIS BLOOD TO BE SAVED AND STORED?
Many parents these days are saving this blood because it contains immature stem cells that can be transformed (differentiated) into other cells within the human body thus protecting and repairing the body from within.
These immature stem cells can be used to treat genetic disorders, cancers and diseases of the blood and immune system.
WHAT TYPE OF DISEASES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
Right now stem cells have been used to manage cancer such as leukaemia.
WHEN EXACTLY IS THE CORD BLOOD EXTRACTED AFTER THE BABY’S BIRTH?
The cord blood is extracted after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut and the placenta has been delivered.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THESE STEM CELLS?
These stem cells have a 100% human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match for your baby as they are unique to them. If these are required in the future by your baby their body will not reject them or will your child ever have to wait for a suitable donor and match.
These stem cells also have a 25% chance of matching a sibling.
Whenever anyone needs a transplant and they need to be matched to a donor, it is the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) that has to be matched between the donor and the recipient.
HOW IS IT ALL DONE?
The whole process is very simple.
- You must contact a cord blood bank before your baby is born. You can find one on the internet or the hospital can recommend one.
- Once you have all the information, agreed to their terms and signed a contract, the cord blood bank will send/give you a collection kit.
- You must take the collection kit with you at the time of the birth.
- The doctor or consultant at the birth will take a sample of the placenta and umbilical cord and place it in the collection box.
- The cord blood bank company may send a phlebotomist (someone trained to draw the blood from the umbilical cord and placenta) to extract the sample.
- The cord blood bank will arrange a courier to collect the collection box. The cord blood must be kept between a set temperature to ensure the quality of the stem cells.
- Once the collection box arrives at the cord blood bank they will check the sample to see if it is healthy and can be used.
- They will then process the sample to maximise the concentration of stem cells and then separate it into many samples for use in the future.
- These samples will be cryogenically frozen in liquid nitrogen. This must be done within 72 hours after collection of the cord blood.
- The sample when required can be sent to you or your child anywhere in the world.
IS IT EXPENSIVE TO DO THIS?
Yes it is. The initial fee of a couple of thousand pounds will cover the cost of the collection box, processing and storing the samples for the first year.
A small fee of up to £100 is charged every year to continue storing the sample.
WHAT IS CORD BLOOD DONATION?
Cord blood donation is when you and your partner have been asked by a hospital to donate the cord blood and you both have agreed to do this.
The cord blood is donated to a public bank. There are 2 public cord blood banks in the UK. They are:
- The NHS cord blood bank
- The Anthony Nolan cord blood bank.
To donate cord blood is free in the UK
WHAT IS DELAYED CLAMPING AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE CORD BLOOD SAMPLE?
Delayed clamping is when you have requested the midwife and baby delivery team to clamp the umbilical cord some time after the baby’s birth so cord blood can continue to enter the baby’s body. This can help prevent anaemia. Delayed clamping will be noted in the birth plan. By delaying the clamping the amount of cord blood taken from the umbilical cord and placenta will be reduced.
WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF CORD BLOOD USUALLY COLLECTED?
The usual amount collected is about 150ml. The minimum amount that can be collected is 60ml.
WHO ARE THE HUMAN TISSUE AUTHORITY (HTA)?
The human tissue authority (HTA) created by parliament is an independent government regulator of cord blood bank organisations.
WHAT ARE THE 2 DIFFERENT TYPES OF CORD BLOOD BANKS?
Public cord blood bank – Here, donated cord blood is stored and used worldwide. There are 2 public cord banks in the UK:
- The NHS cord blood bank
- The Anthony Nolan cord blood bank.
Private cord blood bank – Here, you can pay to store your child’s cord blood. These stem cells are intended for the child and their family to use.