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There is nothing more symbolic of the bond between a mother and her child than the umbilical cord. During pregnancy it is literally the lifeline – feeding and nurturing your child until they are born. Even after birth, it contains precious cells which are an exact match with your baby and can, once again, become life saving in the future. The umbilical cord contains a type of stem cell called mesenchymal cell which has been found to form bone, cartilage, and tendon. Use of the cord blood cells has the potential to repair damage caused by spinal cord injuries and stroke along with treating diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, immune disorders and more. But, is cord blood banking right for your family?
The Pros and Cons: What You Should Know Before You Decide
Cord Blood Collection is a Painless, Noninvasive Procedure
Pro: Cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord after it has been separated from both mother and child and does not require any additional medical procedures during the delivery. After the umbilical cord has been separated from the baby and mother, blood is drained into a collection bag.
Con: None
Cord Blood Cell Treatment Does Not Require a 100% Match
Pro: This means you may be able to use the banked cells for other members of your family such as siblings and parents.
Con: The ability to use a close match also means your child could easily find a donor through a public cord blood bank without the need of private banking for many years prior.
Cord Blood Can Be Banked for Decades
Pro: If you never need to use the banked cord blood for the donor child it will remain viable for many years and could be used to treat subsequent children or family members in the future.
Con: You may never use it. Even if your child develops one of the illnesses treatable by cord blood cells, research indicates that in some instances treatment is more successful if the cells used are from a different donor.
Cord Blood Banking is an Ever Evolving Study
Pro: Because cord blood cell treatment is relatively new there are constantly new studies and research being conducted to improve the uses. An illness that is unknown today may be treatable by cord blood cells in the future.
Con: Statistics vary widely according to the organization responsible for the research. The odds of a child needing their cord blood or having a successful treatment from this method are estimates only.
Cord Blood is Available through Private and Public Banking
Pro: Even if you do not choose to bank your own child’s cord blood, they can be matched with a donor through a public cord blood bank if needed later. Blood is screened for disease before use.
Con: Private cord blood banking, like most medical procedures, is expensive. Fees are generally around $1,500 – $2,000 collection, processing and first year storage. Then there is an additional yearly storage fee between $200 – $300. Insurance providers do not cover the cost of cord blood banking. However, reduced fee or free banking services are available for a child with recognized medical conditions that would specifically require cord blood cell treatment at birth or in the future.
The only real controversy surrounding cord blood banking is the standards to which a private bank is held for collection, screening and storage practices. If you do decide to have your child’s cord blood banked privately – here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a private bank:
- Are they accredited by either AABB or Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy?
- Have they registered with the FDA and met all state regulation requirements?
- Does the bank store blood in bags or vials and do they use an “integral segments” method? (a specific method of testing the blood required by the AABB)
- Has the bank facilitated any successful transplants in the past? Be wary of banks which have a high number of donors but have never completed a transplant before. It can indicate that their collections have been turned down by facilities due to contamination or incorrect collection procedures.
- Is the bank profitable? If a bank closes you do not get your collection (or money) back.
- What is their price range? High fee banks may be overcharging, but low fee banks may be cutting corners to get more donations. If you need a lower initial fee – find a bank which allows monthly payments instead of one offering ‘bargain’ prices.
Did your family decide to bank cord blood? Why or why not?
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
