Cord Blood FAQ
What exactly is cord blood?
Cord blood, or placental blood, comes from the umbilical cord and the placenta following the birth of a baby.
What normally happens to the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a baby?
In the past, the umbilical cord and placenta has been discarded following the birth of a baby, as many people were – and in many cases still are – unaware of the value of this blood.
Why have people started preserving the cord blood after the birth of a baby?
In the 1980s, researchers discovered that the cord blood from the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth of a baby was very rich in young stem cells. Because of the health benefits that these stem cells can provide – often even in the case of serious diseases – many parents have now started to preserve this cord blood after their baby is born, rather than discarding it and wasting precious resources that could save their life or the life of another in the future.
What are stems cells?
Stem cells are very special compared to other cells because these cells have the ability to adapt. Stem cells are non-specific, and this means that, unlike the other cells, they can work towards the reproduction and healthy growth of cells in all areas of the body rather than just in a particular area of the body.
What sort of diseases can be treated with cord blood stem cells?
There are a number of diseases that can be treated through stem cell therapy, and research has enables this treatment to be used on diseases and illnesses such as some cancers, blood abnormalities, immunodeficiency disorders, bone marrow abnormalities, and a variety of other potentially serious diseases. With continued research, it is hoped that the number of diseases that can be treated through stem cell therapy will continue to rise.
Can’t bone marrow transplantation be used for some of these diseases?
Traditionally, many of the diseases that are now treatable through stem cell therapy have been treated in the past through bone marrow transplantation. If stem cells and cord blood is not available, then bone marrow may still be the only option for many sufferers of these diseases. However, for a patient to be treated through bone marrow transplantation, the bone marrow from the donor and recipient has to match in order to minimize the risks of rejection. It is not always easy to find a willing donor with an exact match, and because of this many people have lost their lives. Even if a donor is eventually found, it is often too late.
With stem cell therapy an exact match is not required, because these stem cells are young and adaptable. The chances of rejection are far lower than with bone marrow transplantation, and with continued donations and storage of cord blood, these stem cells are easily accessible when required, which can make the difference between life and death when time is of the essence.
How is cord blood collected?
The cord blood collection process is a simple one. A qualified staff member at the birth will collect the cord blood after the birth using a syringe or a blood bag. It is important that you tell the hospital well in advanced so that they can arrange for a qualified staff member to be present.
Where does it go after collection?
After the cord blood has been collected it is enveloped and sent to your chosen cord blood bank via courier. Some blood banks will arrange for a courier to collect the cord blood from the hospital, where it will quickly and efficiently be delivered to the bank.
Do the cord blood banks charge for storage of cord blood?
If you are having the cord blood preserved for use by yourself and your family, you will normally be charged an enrolment fee and annual storage charges, and these can vary from one blood bank to another. If you are donating the cord blood, there is generally no charge.
How are the stem cells preserved?
When the cord blood reaches the blood bank, the staff will isolate the stem cells which will be frozen. These stem cells are preserved in liquid nitrogen, and are stored until they are required for treatment or research.
How long can stem cells be stored for?
Although this is still being investigated, stem cells that have been stored for a decade have been found to be fine for use in treatment.
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