Cord Blood Factsheet

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Cord Blood
An overview in brief...

Umbilical Cord Blood Stem cells from a baby's cord blood are taken from the umbilicus and placenta of a healthy newborn at birth. Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells, which are a foundation of the body's immune system. These cells can create parts of blood, bone marrow, and components of the immune system, such as white blood cells. While cord blood stem cells can be used without a perfect biological match, when used by the baby, it is always a 100 percent match. And there is a 25 percent chance it will be an exact match for one of the baby's siblings.

Potential Uses

Cord blood stem cells have been used to treat immune disorders, leukemia, various malignancies, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, severe combines immune deficiencies, and genetic disorders. Stem cell transplantation is a proven treatment in 45 malignant and non-malignant diseases. As millions of research dollars are being spent every year in areas like blood and immune system disorders, its uses are expected to expand to treat additional conditions. 

Collection

Cord blood collection occurs immediately after the delivery of the baby by the delivering physician or nurse-midwives. A simple and painless process for both the mother and baby, approximately three to five ounces are collected. The blood is then packaged in a collection kit provided by the cord blood bank, and then transported to the cord blood storage facility, where it remains available for possible later use if the medical need arises. The cord blood is collected in a blood bag that contains an anticoagulant (Citrate Phosphate Dextrose Solution or CPD). 

Included in the collection kit are (2) maternal blood sample collection tubes. Maternal blood is collected for use in performing selected tests that are required prior to final acceptance of the cord blood for storage. Storing at a private cord blood facility ensures that only the family will have access to the cord blood and stem cells if needed.

Transportation

Following collection and labeling, cord blood shipping to a cord blood bank of choice is immediate, for cord blood should be processed within 48 hours of collection.

Reasons to bank cord blood: a history of predisposition to certain conditions; a child in the family is in need of stem cell transplantation; there is a family situation where both genetically linked parents are not available; or simply a wish to provide a child with a health resource it may need in the future.

Longevity and Viability

Cord blood stored for 15 years was recently used on a l5-year-old boy, thus making it the longest stored cord blood to be used successfully. Since current cryogenic technology was discovered in 1946, its longevity and viability is still to be determined. However, it is known that human sperm can be frozen and stored, and has been used successfully in a live birth after more than 22 years.

 

There are no known upper limits as to how long sperm can be safely stored under LN2. The theoretical limits appear to be many hundreds of years, if not several thousand years. 

It is reasonable to believe that the same can apply to cord blood. California Cryobank Stem Cell Service's online media kit is provided for news media representatives. Additional materials may be requested through our marketing department.