Currently, more than 200,000 units of cord blood are stored by public and private cord blood banks. Read on to find out why it is saved and how to donate.
What Is Cord Blood?
Umbilical cord blood is human blood obtained from the placenta and umbilical cord shortly after birth. After a baby is delivered, the mother's body releases the placenta, the temporary organ that transferred oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s body to the developing fetus throughout the pregnancy.
The placenta, umbilical cord, and the blood that these organs contain are routinely discarded after the birth of a baby. However, in the late 1980s, it was discovered that umbilical cord blood contains blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells. This discovery quickly gave rise to an industry that revolves around the collection and storage of cord blood.
Cord Blood and Stem Cells
This special blood is of medical interest because it is rich in hematopoietic stem cells. Stem cells are primitive, undeveloped cells that have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types.
When a stem cell divides, each new cell can either remain a stem cell or specialize into another type of cell, such as a muscle cell, skin cell, or red blood cell, to name just a few possibilities. These cells can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other damaged cells, and in doing so, can potentially act as a repair system for the body.
Umbilical cord blood contains embryonic-like stem cells called CBEs, These cells are not quite as primitive as the controversial embryonic stem cells, which can give rise to any tissue type of the body. Still, CBEs are more versatile than adult stem cells such as those found in bone marrow.
Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood banking is the process by which the blood left in a baby's umbilical cord and placenta after birth is collected, frozen, and stored for future medical use. Currently, more than 200,000 units of cord blood are stored by public (government sponsored) and private (for profit) cord blood banks.
Public Cord Blood Banking
Government sponsored banks store cord blood for use by the general public, and, in the United States, matching cord blood to patient is typically accomplished through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). If you would like to donate your baby’s cord blood, contact the NMDP.
Private Cord Blood Banking
There are numerous for-profit organizations that will, for a fee, store cord blood for the exclusive use of the family of the donor. Private banking is sometimes recommended when there is a family history of specific genetic diseases.
More Information
For more information on stem cells, see the Stem Cell Information page of the National Institutes of Health, the science education website Science Prof Online and the Suite101 articles Collection of Umbilical Cord Blood, Umbilical Cord Blood Storage and Types of Human Stem Cell.
