Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells that can be used to treat conditions such as leukemia and sickle cell disease, explains the American Pregnancy Association. In order to bank cord blood, parents must make the decision prior to the onset of labor to obtain the collection kit. After birth, the cord is clamped and doctors use a syringe to extract the remaining cord blood. The blood is then sent to the collection facility and stored for a predetermined period of time. Banked cord blood has potential life-saving benefits, though KidsHealth.com notes that the downsides should be explored as well.
Cost
Banking umbilical cord blood is incredibly expensive. Aaron Caughey, M.D., Ph.D., explains that for most families, cord blood banking is simply not cost effective. Research performed by the University of California San Francisco found that the least expensive banking option in 2009 was over $3600. Additional yearly fees may also be assessed for each year the blood is stored.
Likelihood of Use
A survey given to major cord blood banks found that out of 460,000 units of cord blood banked, only 99 had ever been shipped for treatment purposes as of 2009. Dr. Caughey notes that a .04 percent chance exists that an individual would be able to use their own stem cells for treatment later in life. Siblings have a slightly better chance at being able to use the stem cells at .07 percent. Even in cases where siblings are able to use the stem cells from the banked cord blood, a 50 percent chance of graft-versus-host disease exists that would cause the treatment to become complicated or fail all together.
Lack of Cells
In the event that a match exists between the cord blood and an adult family member, KidsHealth.com explains that the quantity of stem cells is too small for transplant into an adult. Stem cell transplants using cord blood are far more likely to occur in children or teenagers because the volume would be adequate in smaller people.
Inability to Delay Cord Clamping
In most hospitals, umbilical cords are cut within seconds of birth whether or not the umbilical cord blood is banked. In order to bank the cord blood, it must be clamped right away to preserve a sufficient quantity of blood for banking. Research is beginning to question the safety of immediate clamping. A study conducted by UC Davis found that babies who were allowed to remain attached to the umbilical cord for up to two minutes following birth had a decreased chance of having iron deficiency anemia at six months of age. UC Davis also notes that research verifying the benefits of rapid clamping is lacking.
