Table of Contents
What is Cord Blood?
The practice of Cord Blood Banking involves the process of collecting blood from the umbilical cord immediately after the birth of a new born which is the stored in banks established specially to preserve and store the stem cells. This cord blood is rich in stem cells which can be transformed into any kind of human cell. This implies that these stored blood cells can be used for treatment of various disease for the person whose stem cells are collected, or a sibling or even a relative. When the baby is delivered the blood about 40 millimeters is collected from the umbilical cord. This blood is then sealed in a bag and is then sent to the cord blood bank or the laboratory for testing. For further information, refer to our article of pros and cons of cord blood banking.
How to do Cord Blood Registry?
The procedure for Registering your child’s Cord Blood in a bank involves the following steps:
1. Enrollment for Cord Blood Registration:
The parents who decide to register their child’s cord blood for preservation need to enroll for the same with a collection bank. Collection banks are of two types, Private and Public Banks. In a private bank, the cord blood is stored against a fee that is collected. This blood will be returned for use whenever the child or any of the relative needs it. Whereas, in a public bank, the cord blood is donated for use to others who may be in need.
The collection kit comes with a client agreement. This agreement is filled and returned to the concerned collecting agency for further procedure. The agreement may require the family to provide the bank with basic medical history.
2. Informing The Doctor:
The doctor who is to perform the delivery needs to be informed about the plans of the family to have the cord blood collected. Accordingly, the doctor collects the blood in the collection kit which then has to be kept separately. The collection kit must be kept at an accessible place.
3. Collection of Cord Blood:
Before the blood from the umbilical cord is collected, mother’s medical tests are conducted for any blood infection or diseases. Immediately following the birth but before the placenta is delivered, the cord blood is collected from the baby’s umbilical cord by the healthcare provider. After the placenta is delivered, the cord tissue is then collected. The process of collection is safe for both vaginal as well as cesarean delivery.
4. Collection:
The parents must then immediately arrange for the blood to be collected by the concerned bank in which they have signed up for preservation or donation of the cord blood. The collection-kit is collected from the hospital and transported to laboratory.
5. Testing and Processing of the Cord Blood:
The place which the parents have chosen for cord blood registry, tests the blood collected from the umbilical cord in their laboratory. It is tested for microbiological contamination. Even the mother’s samples are collected and tested for any infections. The cord blood is then processed for maximum recovery of stem cells from within.
6. Storage:
The sample is then stored at a temperature of about -170 degree Celsius. These samples are also often over wrapped for extra protection and care.
7. Receipt of a Certificate of Preservation:
Around a month later, the family receives a preservation certificate. All of the results of the pathological tests conducted on the cord blood and the blood of the mother are attached with the certificate.
Cost of Procedure:
With various private banks offering a wide variety of services, the cost of cord blood storage and registration would begin at about $1800-$2000 for all the initial processes and procedures. Subsequently, the charges are about $150-$175 annually for preservation of the stem cells for future use. These are the charges of CryoCell International which is one of the well known cord blood banking agency. You may click on the link for further reference and also contact them. click to read more
Private Bank vs Public Bank:
- Cord Blood Stem cells can either be stored in a private bank wherein you have to pay the bank in order that they preserve the stem cells, or you may also donate in a public bank.
- In a public bank, the stem cells are usually provided to those in need. The preliminary steps of collection and testing of the samples are nearly the same.
- The public bank doesn’t charge an exorbitant rate like the private bank.
- Cord blood samples stored in private banks for either autologous or allogeneic transplants for the infant donor or related family members are not searchable or available to the public.
- The major drawback of public banks is that one may never get access to the cord blood stem cells of their own family member. Though all tests are conducted, the reliability of the stem cells obtained from the public banks is limited with respect to its use to cure various diseases.
- Public Banks registering cord blood stem cells are usually linked or affiliated to Government Hospitals in U.S.A.
- However, private banks are not an affordable option to a lot of people and hence not very accessible.
- In U.S., separate states have separate legislation that deal with the procedure of Cord Blood banking and the Laws attached thereto. Check out the site that deals with US Regulations connected to Cord Blood Banking.
- There are various Cord Blood Banking Companies to choose from if you opt for a private cord blood banking option available in the U.S. Check out the Top 20 Cord Blood Banking Companies for further details.
Private Bank or Public Bank, the choice should be made after careful examination of your own personal needs as well as cost and utility. The choice is to be made after a careful research as to the banks that are ready to provide the services. You can decide after reading the Ways to Compare Cord Blood Banks to make a precise decision regarding the same.
