Sources of Stem Cells
Where and when is cord blood collected and stored?
Expectant parents can make arrangements before the birth of their child to have their baby’s cord blood collected immediately after birth (within 15 minutes of delivery) and stored by a commercial blood bank for their own use. Or they can donate it to a public bank to be available to any appropriately matched individual needing a transplant. If parents use a commercial bank, the initial cost ranges from $250 to $1,500, plus an annual storage fee of $50 to $100. Some health insurance companies are beginning to cover these costs.
Although public banks pay for processing the cord blood sample, they require completion of a lengthy parental health/disease questionnaire. Required testing for diseases such as hepatitis and HIV can be costly for parents. In addition, expectant parents must make arrangements with these banks at least 90 days before the expected delivery date.
Who should consider storing cord blood?
Expectant parents who have a family history of certain genetic diseases, such as severe anemias, immune disorders or some cancers, may want to consider the family benefit of storing cord blood. Most families have no such risk factors, and only about a 1-in-20,000 chance of needing a stem cell transplantation. Families can get complete information and counseling from health care providers, including genetic counselors.
Families who want to donate their baby’s cord blood to a public bank for use by others should be fully informed of their responsibilities and other implications of such donations. |
