- With Mayo Clinic pediatric stem cell transplant specialist
Shakila Khan, M.D.
Labor and delivery (3)
- Cord blood banking: Should I consider it?
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Question
Cord blood banking: Should I consider it?
I'm pregnant with my first child. Should I consider cord blood banking?
Answer
from Shakila Khan, M.D.
It's a good idea for anyone who lives near a public cord blood banking facility to consider public cord blood banking.
Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, the cells from which all other cells are created. Cord blood banking is a procedure in which cord blood is taken from a baby's umbilical cord shortly after delivery and preserved for possible future use in a stem cell transplant. Collecting a baby's cord blood poses few, if any, risks to either mother or baby. If the cord blood isn't collected for preservation or research, it's simply discarded.
Donating cord blood to a public cord blood banking facility is a tremendous opportunity to help others. Cord blood transplants from unrelated donors can be used to treat many conditions, including leukemia and various metabolic problems. You won't be charged any fees to donate cord blood to a public bank. However, you may need to give birth to your baby at one of the limited number of hospitals or other facilities equipped to handle public cord blood donations. Also, cord blood banked in a public program won't likely be available for future private use.
Donating cord blood to a private facility for possible personal use is controversial. The cost is often considerable, including an initial collection fee and ongoing maintenance fees — and the chance that your child will use his or her own banked cord blood in the future is remote. Also, should your child need a stem cell transplant, there's no guarantee that his or her banked cord blood will remain viable or be suitable for a transplant.
If you're considering cord blood banking — whether you'd like to donate to a public bank or you wonder whether private cord blood banking would be a worthwhile investment — consult your doctor. He or she can help you understand the options so that you can make an informed decision.
Next questionLower back tattoo: Can it prevent an epidural for labor pain?
- Khan SP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 6, 2009.
- Cairo MS, et al. Cord blood banking for potential future transplantation. Pediatrics. 2007;119:165.
- Committee on Obstetric Practice. Committee on Genetics. Umbilical cord blood banking. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2008;111:475.
- Thornley I, et al. Private cord blood banking: Experiences and views of pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation physicians. Pediatrics. 2009;123:1011.
- Fox NS, et al. Ethical considerations in umbilical cord blood banking. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2008;111:178.
