I know you’ve heard or read about cord blood banking on numerous occasions that it actually wonders what this is all about. Well, wonder no more as your burning questions about it are answered here!
1. What is cord blood banking?
Cord blood banking involves the process of storing stem cells – agent responsible for replenishing the blood and immune system – collected from the umbilical cord immediately after birth. The stem cells have the ability to develop into new and healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
2. What is the difference between private cord blood banking and public cord blood banking?
Private cord blood banking is storing the baby’s cord blood for his or her own future use or use by a family member should the need arise. Alternatively, public cord blood banking involves donating a baby’s cord blood for potential use by a patient at large in need. When a family donates their child’s cord blood, they are relinquishing all their rights to own these cells.
3. How is cord blood banking done?
Cord blood is collected after the baby is born and the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. Once it has been collected, the cord blood is transported to a cord blood processing and cryopreservation facility for specialized handling. Stem cells will be extracted from cord blood using the world’s first and only fully automated cord blood processing system, Sepax ®, followed by a step to gradually freeze down the stem cells before they are finally stored in a liquid nitrogen tank at -196°C permanently.
4. Does cord blood banking pose any risk to the mother or to the baby?
No, because the cord blood is collected after the baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. The collection is painless, easy, and safe for both the mother and the baby.
5. What diseases can be treated with cord blood?
Stem cells have been proven to successfully treat diseases including cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, blood disorders such as thalassaemia as well as immune deficiencies and metabolic disorders.
6. How can cord blood be useful for the family?
Researchers say stem cells from cord blood may be used to treat diseases of the family members since the chance of locating a cord blood match within the family is 60 percent higher than a bone marrow match, includes fewer complications, and has improved medical outcomes.
7. Must siblings have the same blood type in order for cord blood to be used by any of them?
No, Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) or tissue matching is used to determine donor and recipient compatibility – and it is irrespective of blood types.
8. Is cord blood banking available in the Philippines?
Cord blood banking is available at CordLife, the Philippines’ first world-class cord blood processing and storage facility which is located at the UP-AyalaLand TechnoHub Diliman, Q.C. Meanwhile, stem cell transplants are performed in The National Kidney and Transplant Institute, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Asian Hospital and Medical Center. These hospitals have the necessary facilities and expertise of medical practitioners to perform cord blood banking transplants.
9. How long can cord blood be stored?
Research shows that cord blood stem cells can be stored indefinitely as long as they are continuously stored in liquid nitrogen. With the required temperature, the stem cells will not lose its viability or biological activity.
For more information on CordLife and cord blood banking, keep in touch with them by:
- visiting www.cordlife.com/ph
- calling 710-9195
- sending an e-mail to info@ph.cordlife.com
5 Comments
Cord blood is donated in advance for anyone who might need it in the future. All routine testing is completed and the unit is stored frozen, ready to use. If a match is found, it can be reserved immediately. That’s one good advantage of cord blood banking 😀
It’s amazing what science can do these days. Had I known about cord blood banking before, I would have had my son’s cord blood collected after I gave birth to him.
I hope cord blood blanking will become more affordable in the coming years. But I guess the numerous benefits is worth it.
it is! if only i can afford it, i would’ve had my little man’s cord blood stored for us when he was born.