Cord Blood Collection - Basic Overview
Asheesh Mani
August 01, 2008
What is cord blood? This is the blood extracted from the umbilical cord and the placenta after the baby is born. This blood is rich in blood forming cells called stem cells. Until a few years ago, very few doctors knew the importance of the placenta and they discarded the cord after every delivery. Scientific research has proven that cells can be used to treat various diseases, earlier regarded as difficult to cure.
Registration
The parents have to register themselves at least 4 months prior delivery. A written permission has to be given in addition to a go-ahead by the doctor. After the mother of the child has applied for the collection, she has to undergo various tests to ensure that her blood is fit for preservation and to ensure that it is free from any genetic abnormalities. The parents or the mother has to decide, whether they prefer a public or private cord blood bank. Both banks follow different rules and preservation systems. Another factor is that, whether the preservation is for donation or for personal use. If it´s donation, full confidentiality is maintained. No one gets to know the identity of the donor.
Collection
Proper collection is the responsibility of the bank. An important point here is that, if there are any unexpected complications during pregnancy, the umbilical cord blood is not collected. In such a case, the registration fees charged by the bank are refunded. Another factor that is worth considering is the quantity of the blood collected. If the blood in the placenta is too less, the plan for collection is abandoned. Usually, a single unit of blood from the cord is around three to five ounces. Less collected means less stem cells. However, if the parents so wish, they can donate the unit for research purposes.
The mother and the baby are not affected in anyway during the collection. The blood is drained after the delivery and after the umbilical cord is clamped. The entire process normally takes 10 to 15 minutes, but not more. Records say that, these cells have been effectively used 15 years after preservation. Though experts claim that stem cells, if preserved well, can be preserved forever, there is no evidence to prove this.
The process of collection is expensive. Experts here claim that the cells in this blood are richer than the ones in the bone marrow. This makes it one of the main reasons for the growing popularity of stem cells collection. Well matching cells can cure up to 70 diseases. Some of them are Leukemia, Congenital Immune System Disorders, Plasma Cell Disorders, Neuroblastoma, Ovarian Cancer and Testicular Cancer.
Proper collection of cord blood is the responsibility of the bank. An important point here is that, if there are any unexpected complications during pregnancy, the umbilical cord blood is not collected. For more information visit cord blood banking.
Registration
The parents have to register themselves at least 4 months prior delivery. A written permission has to be given in addition to a go-ahead by the doctor. After the mother of the child has applied for the collection, she has to undergo various tests to ensure that her blood is fit for preservation and to ensure that it is free from any genetic abnormalities. The parents or the mother has to decide, whether they prefer a public or private cord blood bank. Both banks follow different rules and preservation systems. Another factor is that, whether the preservation is for donation or for personal use. If it´s donation, full confidentiality is maintained. No one gets to know the identity of the donor.
Collection
Proper collection is the responsibility of the bank. An important point here is that, if there are any unexpected complications during pregnancy, the umbilical cord blood is not collected. In such a case, the registration fees charged by the bank are refunded. Another factor that is worth considering is the quantity of the blood collected. If the blood in the placenta is too less, the plan for collection is abandoned. Usually, a single unit of blood from the cord is around three to five ounces. Less collected means less stem cells. However, if the parents so wish, they can donate the unit for research purposes.
The mother and the baby are not affected in anyway during the collection. The blood is drained after the delivery and after the umbilical cord is clamped. The entire process normally takes 10 to 15 minutes, but not more. Records say that, these cells have been effectively used 15 years after preservation. Though experts claim that stem cells, if preserved well, can be preserved forever, there is no evidence to prove this.
The process of collection is expensive. Experts here claim that the cells in this blood are richer than the ones in the bone marrow. This makes it one of the main reasons for the growing popularity of stem cells collection. Well matching cells can cure up to 70 diseases. Some of them are Leukemia, Congenital Immune System Disorders, Plasma Cell Disorders, Neuroblastoma, Ovarian Cancer and Testicular Cancer.
Proper collection of cord blood is the responsibility of the bank. An important point here is that, if there are any unexpected complications during pregnancy, the umbilical cord blood is not collected. For more information visit cord blood banking.
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