Cord Blood Banking is a collection of umbilical cords and placenta of newborns for the extraction of stem cells. These are potentially life-saving stem cells that can be used in the later stage of life as stem cells can replicate other cells. Umbilical cords used to get thrown away after the birth of a baby, but now, many parents choose to store their newborn’s umbilical cord for the future health of their child. You can even find affordable cord blood banks at $19.99/month

Cord banking was started keeping in mind the benefits of the blood present in the umbilical cord which is rich in stem cells. These stem cells are very beneficial and are helpful when used against life-threatening illnesses. The cord fluid is easy to collect and has far more stem cells present in it than stem cells present in the bone marrow, also the cord blood rarely contains any bacteria so it is easily accepted as an adult stem cell.

Cord blood has shown positive results in the treatment of illnesses like cancer, anemia, immune system disorders, orthopedic issues, and many more. The cord blood is taken at the time of birth is an absolute match for the baby to be used in later stages of his life but these blood cells may or may not reject if transfused into some other person’s body. Immediate family members of the baby can also use the stem cells as they also have a higher rate of cord blood cells after transfusion.

Where is Cord Blood Stored?

Cord banking and its storage are up to the parents to decide. There are a few options from which the parents can decide as to where to store the cord blood and also, they can decide who and when it can be used.

• Public Banking

Public Cord Banks storages are available for anyone to use the cord blood and getting cord blood stored at public cord banks is free of cost for the parents. These banks can use the donated cord blood for research purposes as well.

• Private Banking

Private cord banking is quite expensive as the cord blood is stored exclusively for use by the donor and the family members. Private cord banking is expensive and these banks also charge additional annual storage fees. Getting cord blood stored in private banks has its disadvantages as collection and storage charges are very high and it might be possible that the child or any other family member may never have to use the stored cord blood.

• Donation Banks

Donation cord banking is for public use and is a combination of private and public cord banks. Donated cord blood can be used by anyone who is in need and also by the family who donated the cord blood as these donations can be reserved for donors as well.

Cord banking, currently being at a development stage as more and more treatments are being tested to be cured by cord blood cells, but it has its disadvantages as well. Cord blood does not contain a lot of stem cells so any adult needing a stem cell transfusion will be needing multiple donors, not everyone is eligible to donate cord blood, all hospitals may not provide the facility to get cord blood stored in a public bank, and private storage is too expensive for the donor.

The stored cord blood can not be used by the donor as well if the disease is a genetic one as the stem cell would also be having those genetic mutations.

Cord Blood Banking, being at a rise in most of the countries, still does not have a definite answer as to if cord banking is an option one should opt for. As for public banking, it is mostly being used for research purposes and in private banking, the collection and storage expenses are too high and the chances of the donor using the cord blood are also extremely low. Donating cord blood is one of the safest options, if the parents decide to donate, as it will first of all be free of charge and also can be reserved by the donor for future use.