Cord blood, found in the umbilical cord, contains stem cells that can develop into red or white blood cells, platelets or other cell types in the body. Expecting parents are encouraged to save their baby's cord blood so that these stem cells can be used to help a person fight off certain illnesses. Couples who are expecting should consider both the advantages and disadvantages of saving their baby's cord blood.
Advantages
The biggest advantage of saving cord blood is the potential to save a life. The stem cells found in cord blood can help a person's body fight off a disease that might otherwise cause serious harm or even death. The process to collect and save the cord blood is easy and painless. Banked cord-blood cells are also available almost immediately, according to the March of Dimes. Although the maximum storage time is still being researched as of August 2010, stem cells that have been stored for over a decade have been used successfully, according to KidsHealth. This means that even if the cord blood is not needed right now, saving it for future use may prove beneficial for many years to come.
Disadvantages
Although many parents save cord blood as a kind of insurance to protect the baby or family members from becoming seriously ill or dying from a disease, this is unlikely to happen, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The organization notes that the chances of the cord blood saving the child it came from ranges from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 200,000. There are also significant costs involved with storing the cord blood in a private bank. Although the exact costs vary depending upon location and individual circumstances, the American Pregnancy Association estimates the initial collection fees range from $900 to $2,100 while the ongoing storage fees are approximately $100 each year. In addition, although risks to the mother and baby are very rare, they may occur. The baby may develop anemia or have lower blood volumes if a doctor clamps the umbilical cord to collect the cord blood too soon after the birth.
Considerations
It is important for expecting parents to weigh both the pros and cons when making the decision whether or not to save their baby's cord blood, but they should do so well before the baby is to be born. The process of selecting a cord blood bank and signing up for the service often takes at least six weeks, according to the March of Dimes.
Misconceptions
There is an important distinction between saving a baby's cord blood privately and donating a baby's cord blood to a public cord blood bank. Cord blood that is stored in a private blood bank is typically saved in case the baby or a family member gets sick and needs it, while cord blood stored at a public bank is available for anyone who may need it. While there are fees associated with storing cord blood privately, donating cord blood to a public bank is usually free. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend donating cord blood to public banks but advise against storing the cord blood privately unless there is a family history of disease.
Warning
Expecting couples often ask for their doctor's recommendations when it comes to deciding whether or not to store cord blood, but they should be aware that the doctor might not always be an objective source of information. Many doctors receive financial incentives for getting patients to sign up with a private cord blood bank. Although most doctors are upfront about this, some may not be. It is always important for expecting parents to do their own research about the issue when making their decision, perhaps seeking information from objective organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in addition to discussing the issue with a doctor.
References
- KidsHealth: Banking Your Newborn's Cord Blood
- American Academy of Pediatrics: AAP Encourages Public Cord Blood Banking
- March of Dimes: Umbilical Cord Blood
- American Pregnancy Association: Cord Blood Banking
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: ACOG Revises Opinion on Cord Blood Banking
