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Look for accreditation when considering cord blood banking

September 12, 2011 By admin

Look for accreditation when considering cord blood banking.

Cord blood banking may be a life saving process when umbilical blood is collected and
stored for future purposes. Cord blood is rich with stem cells, that may prove to be
beneficial in treating more than 75 life threatening diseases. The collection process is
easy, painless and takes only a few minutes to store cord blood that is otherwise discarded as biological waste.Cord Blood Bank Accreditation

Cord blood banking has grown in popularity with the knowledge that stem cells are currently responsible for treating over 40 different diseases and disorders and may potentially create cures or ameliorations for diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, Cerebral Palsy and many other devastating ijuries.

Today, there are many private cord blood companies offering the service of collection, processing, testing and storage of umbilical cord blood. 

The internet and telephone conversations are useful resources in helping you choose the right cord blood bank, however it is important to select accredited companies and find out how long each cord blood laboratory has been operational. It is important to check the actual licenses and accreditations as many companies simply put FDA and other logos on their home page.  Experienced companies should have a good track record with banking cord blood and should possess at least an A rating with the BBB.

Financial stability and profitability of the company are two important factors in your
choice for the right cord blood bank. Remember that the company without financial
security will not be able to carry out cord blood banking securely and sustain its
maintenance and operation.

Also, determine how much experience the cord blood bank has company has in providing
samples for lifesaving medical transplants. Many cord blood banks, however, have not
provided a specimen for transplant purposes. Make comparisons among cord blood banks and find out the viability of thawed samples.

Next, consider where the company stores the cord blood stem cells. Some have storage
facilities near their corporate headquarters while others have labs in spots that are free
from natural disasters and the possibility of frequent airport closures. These safeguards
are important points to consider, especially if you live in a hurricane or earthquake prone
area. The final point to consider when choosing a cord blood bank is price.

Each cord blood banking company has a different rate for their service.  Some cord blood

banks offer a service for approximately $1,000, but that is generally for manual cord blood processing. Automated or closed bag processing systems are generally more expensive.  A person can expect to pay up to $2,000 for automated cord blood processing which research has shown recovers higher numbers of critical cells than manual processing.

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Introduction To Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

June 8, 2011 By admin

An Introduction to Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

The practice of collecting cord blood stem cells as part of the birthing process is a procedure that has been in existence since the year 1988. During that year the first cord blood transplant was done, and since then, more than 8,000 transplants have taken place. Today, thousands of parents are using this once in a lifetime opportunity of collecting cord blood stem cells to be available later for possibly treating health problems.Introduction To Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

Not until 1995, however was collecting cord blood stem cells made widely available. The cord blood is collected immediately after birth of the baby once the umbilical cord has been cut. The medical caregiver normally collects the specimen.  This blood used to be discarded as medical waste.  The procedure of collecting cord blood stem cells does not in any way alter normal birth-related procedures. The efficiency of collecting a cord blood stem cell sample is dependant on the amount of cord blood that is collected. The larger the stem cell sample amount that is collected, the better its survival rate of cells in transplant. It is possible to choose the collection method for cord blood by either the syringe or gravity blood bag.

So far, more than 25,000 doctors have been collecting cord blood stem cells in more than 3,000 hospitals and birth centers in the US and more than 72 foreign countries. The practice is rapidly increasing and a growing number of doctors and hospitals are using the procedure of collecting cord blood stem cells with advanced training and technological resources.

It is important to note, however, that there is no risk to the child or the mother when collecting cord blood stem cells, as this is done after the baby is born and after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. This procedure is painless, safe and easy for both mother and baby, and there is no change whatever in the normal delivery process of the baby. The average amount of time required for collecting cord blood stem cells is about 5 minutes.

Once you have decided to collect and store your baby’s cord blood, a cord blood company must be chosen.  The cord blood company will be responsible for providing the cord blood collection kit, assisting you in arranging for delivery of the specimen to their laboratory, processing and testing the cord blood specimen and ultimately cryogenically storing the specimen for your family.

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Harvesting and Cord Blood Banking

February 19, 2011 By admin

Harvesting and Cord Blood Banking

Delivery rooms provide the starting point in the process of cord blood banking

Many people will take the time and make the sacrifice to provide some form of assistance to others in need.  What about the possibility of making a small sacrifice that can potentially rescue someone else from a challenging disease or life-threatening medical condition? Most would make such a sacrifice, and many make such sacrificesHarvesting and Cord Blood Banking every day.

Every day in hospital delivery rooms across the USA and other countries, the practice of cord blood banking is conducted as willing new mothers donate umbilical cords at birth previously used to nourish their newborns. This step is the starting point for cord blood banking – which involves the storage of cells taken from cord blood at incredibly low temperatures (down to -190 degrees). More precisely, cord blood is harvested within a mere 30 seconds of the newborn’s arrival; the umbilical cord is clamped and cut as usual, with the cord being transferred to a lab for cryopreservation. Importantly to this sacrifice for cord blood banking doesn’t cause any discomfort whatsoever for either mother or the new born.

Not a lot of cord blood is required for the storage process – just 75 ml on average (about 1/3 of a cup), but there are a number of ways to process a cord blood unit. Within the cord blood banking realm there are differing opinions on the best method for processing; some separate out the red blood cells and remove them while others keep the red blood cells. Generally speaking, though, both methods have proved to be equally effective.

Is cord blood banking safe?

Before blood from the umbilical cord is put in storage it undergoes viral tests including testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and tissue typing, to insure safety. In addition, the National Cord Blood Program, located in New York, reports that cord blood stored over long periods of time shows no signs of deterioration whatsoever. The longest stored cord blood banking samples are now approximately sixteen years old and have been effectively transplanted just as successfully as the more current specimens.

So, the process is easy, safe and can be stored over long periods of time. The process of cord blood banking has been developed and perfected to today’s current scientific standards. Cord blood banking offers hope to many folks afflicted with blood disorders, immune deficiencies and genetic diseases – all based on the simple thoughtfulness and generosity of a new mom and her baby.

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The benefits of cord blood banking

November 14, 2010 By admin

The benefits of cord blood banking:

The discovery of many uses for cord blood stem cells is a great achievement in medical science.  Cord blood banking is considered a potential life saving process.  Cord blood may be used for treating numerous genetic and blood diseases.Benefits of Cord Blood Banking

Umbilical cord blood has been shown to treat or ameliorate over 40 diseases and disorders including many blood cancers, immune disorders, Lupus, anemia.  Some diseases would not be suitable for the donor themselves but instead would be suitable for a matching recipient.

The field of cord blood research has recently made many new discoveries including successful human clinical trials in the area of Type 1 diabetes, Cerebral Palsy and heart disease.  There are studies continuing in the United States and abroad that include research on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injuries and stroke.

In addition, cord blood stem cells have a lower risk of graft versus host disease (rejection issues)  when compared to bone marrow transplants therefore allowing for a greater range of finding a donor/recipient.  Cord blood also provides an option that is more affordable, less painful and less invasive than traditional bone marrow transplants.

Considering the benefits of cord blood banking, many expectant couples are opting to collect and store their family’s cord blood to safeguard their family’s future. Couples who cannot afford to pay for private cord blood storage may want to consider donating their cord blood to a public cord blood bank.

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Cord Blood Banking Goes Public

July 19, 2010 By admin

Cord Blood Banking Goes Public

Moms-To-Be Receive Notice on the Value of Cord Blood Banking

In the final days of pregnancy, an expectant mother receives much information – from the Doctor’s office, from the hospital, from government agencies, even from companies wanting to sell diapers and wipes.  Almost assuredly, one of the pieces of information passed along to the expectant mom pertains to Cord Blood Banking.Cord Blood Banking Goes Public

Cord Blood Banking is still a relatively new procedure, having begun in 1990, and is already becoming common in our modern culture and maternal medicine. A new mom-to-be may ask, “Why cord blood banking?”  An important question. Cord blood banking is the effective storage of umbilical cord blood captured during the transition of a new born. That’s right…as the young one begins taking his or her first breaths and the umbilical cord is being clamped, then cut, valuable cord blood is drained and preserved. As the term implies, cord blood banking involves the proper storage of the umbilical cord blood that is gathered or harvested.

Why is cord blood banking so valuable?

We can already anticipate the next question coming…”What makes cord blood so valuable?” Another important question! Cord blood contains a very high density of stem cells that can be utilized in the treatment of blood and immune system related genetic diseases, cancers and blood disorders. These hematopoietic cells are specially designed to renew themselves and have the ability to become any one of several different types of cells. This ability helps explain why cells from cord blood have contributed to the healing at least 45 different diseases. Another great benefit – the recipient does not always have to be an exact match to the donor. Current medical research is just starting to realize the importance of cord blood banking.

It is important to note that cord blood banking is not the same process as the controversial techniques having to do with embryonic stem cells. Methods of cord blood banking are in no way invasive for baby or mother, are simple, and preserve an important and vital resource. The storage process includes a gradual freezing of the cord blood cells, eventually bringing them to a cryogenic state of -190 degrees. This slow cooling insures the cells’ integrity over time and allows for future reuse. All indications are that cord blood banking will become still more common as time moves along.

Of all the information a new mom will receive as pregnancy progresses, details on cord blood banking information are very important. The process is safe and increasing in popularity; and the results are dynamic and valuable.

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Stem Cell Research

March 8, 2010 By admin

Stem Cell Research

Research shows that the blood that comes from a baby’s umbical cord is a rich source of stem cells.   Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into other tissues and blood vessels and can be used to treat a variety of diseases.   Up until recently stem cells came from bone marrow, but because these were usually matured stem cells they had an increase chance of being rejected.   Stem cells that are found in the umbical cord are still immature and haven’t learned to attack any foreign substances which makes them less likely to be rejected. stem_cell_research

Research is being done that shows cord blood, and the stem cells found in this blood, could be used in the future to treat people with diabetes, heart failure, stroke and even some neurological disorders.   Keep in mind that the use of stem cells is still being researched and tested thoroughly and according to researchers we are still in the early stages of understanding the full potential of stem cells.

Other benefits of stem cells is their ability to go through numerous cycles of cell division and the capacity to differentiate into specialized cell types. By doing this, using stem cells is the best option for replacing cells that have been damaged by diseases such as cancer.    They are also the basis for the embryo when it first develops and are present in the umbical cord and placenta.  This is why so many companies have been offering new parents not just the opportunity to donate their baby’s cord blood which is full of stem cells, but to store their baby’s cord blood privately for use of the child only or for an immediate family member.

Even though stem cell research has been a huge debate in the medical world, there is no denying all the potential benefits they offer.   There have been numerous amounts of stem cell transplants that were successful and gave people a second chance at life.

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Cryopreservation-How Your Baby’s Cord Blood Is Stored

January 8, 2010 By admin

Cryopreservation-How Your Baby’s Cord Blood Is Stored

Most cord blood banking companies state that your baby’s cord blood will be stored in a state of the art cryoprservation center.  This is the number one choice of most cord blood storage banks.  It is the method that protects and preserves your baby’s stem cells should they ever be needed.    Some of you might be wondering what cryopreservation really is.   It is the process where cells are preserved by cooling them to low sub-zero temperatures.  This temperature is typically 77K or -196 degrees C.   At these low temperatures there is no biological activity.   In fact, the biochemical reactions that cause cell death are stopped ensuring that the cells are still of good quality when the time comes for them to be used.cryopreservation_blood_stored

There are some risks though during cryoprservation.  The solution that is used during cryopreservation can sometimes cause damage to cells.  Solutions that have a high salt concentration can be very damaging to stem cells.   Other factors that can cause damage to cells are extracellular ice formation or ice forming on the outside of the cell.  When tissues are cooled, water will sometime seep out of the cells and ice form in its place.   Too much of this ice can cause mechanical damage due to crushing.   You also have to think about dehydration.   The migration of the water that seeps out of the cells and causes extracellular ice formation is also the cause of cellular dehydration.   The cells are losing water, and the stress that is caused on the cell is often damaging.     You have to consider ice forming on the inside of cells also.  While some tissues can tolerate some extracellular ice, intracellular ice is always fatal to cells.

So how can cord blood banks prevent this when storing your baby’s cord blood?  One way to prevent it is through vitrification.  This provides the benefits of cryopreservation without any damage due to ice crystals.  How vitrification works is with the addition of cryoprotectants.  These cryoprotentants act like antifreeze and lower the freezing temperature.  In artificial cryopreservation, the solute must penetrate the membrane of the cell in order to achieve increased viscosity and slow down the freezing temperature inside the cells.

Cryopreservation has also been used in preserving embryos for couples who have used IVF or invitro fertilization and it works the same way as it does for storing cord blood.   Knowing just how they will keep your baby’s blood will aid you in making the decision that is right for you.

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Collecting Cord Blood after Delivery

December 17, 2009 By admin

Collecting Cord Blood after Delivery

Whether you have decided to store your baby’s cord blood at a private storage bank or whether you have decided to donate your newborn’s cord blood, there are some steps you need to take before your bundle of joy is due.   Researching private blood storage banks and finding out if your hospital participates in any donor programs should be added to an expectant parent’s to do list before the 30th week. collecting_cord_blood_after_delivery

Whether you are storing or donating, you must make sure to receive the cord blood collection kit from the chosen cord blood bank.  If you are storing your newborn’s blood privately, you will be charged for this service.  If you are donating your baby’s blood, some hospitals might already keep a cord blood collection kit on hand, so may not have to bring one with you to your delivery.

With a normal vaginal delivery, the cord blood is collected before the placenta is delivered.   The umbilical cord is clamped on both sides and then an experienced obstetrician or a nurse will unclamp one side of the umbilical cord and insert either a small tube or a small needle into the umbilical vein to collect the blood.  Other times, the blood is dripped into either a vial or a special collection bag.   After this is collected, a needle could also be placed into the placenta to collect more blood and cells.  These cells will be in their own containers and properly identified.

During a cesarean or C-section birth, the collection process is a little more complicated but still causes no pain to the mother or to the baby.   During C-sections, a doctor’s main focus is the mother and baby.  After all, this is a major surgery and there are a number of complications that can arise.   It is only after the baby has been safely delivered, along with the placenta and the mother’s uterus has been sutured that the cord blood can be collected.   Usually though less blood is collected when the baby is delivered via C-section.   That can sometimes be a problem, because less blood collected also means fewer stem cells collected and stored.   Some doctors feel that there is too big of a risk of contamination by collecting cord blood after a C-section, but for the most part most public and private cord storage banks have taken the proper steps to reduce the risk of contamination by providing sterile kit components.

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Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells: What You MUST Know

October 7, 2009 By admin

Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells: What You MUST Know

Stem cells are precursor cells that can differentiate into mature and specialized adult cells of different types. Stem cells are very helpful in the treatment of various diseases of blood and immune system origin, including many cancers.Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells Need To Know

Adult stem cells can be obtained from bone marrow and from the cord blood (blood in the umbilical cord at the time of delivery of the child) and the placenta (sac that holds the baby during pregnancy). The obtained cord blood and the placenta is then processed and preserved in liquid nitrogen to be used if the need arises at any point of time. The stored stem cells remain viable once preserved, for over 20 years.

Collecting the cord blood stem cells for preservation has to be planned well in advance before the delivery of the child. A stem cell bank is identified that is close to the place where the delivery is supposed to happen (unless courier service is arranged). Once such a bank has been found and all the initial formalities are completed, the cord blood bank must be contacted close to the time of the delivery (around 48 hours before) when blood from the mother is drawn and sent to test for any communicable diseases that may be present.

Collecting the cord blood stem cells is performed by the doctors delivering of the child. It is important to collect a sufficient amount of cord blood (around 75 ml at least) for it to contain an adequate amount of stem cells for preservation. The procedure of collecting the cord blood stem cells is conducted when the umbilical vein is still pulsating.

A special collection bag designed for the purpose of collecting the cord blood stem cells is used for this purpose. This bag has a connected needle at one end that is inserted into the umbilical vein, and the bag is lowered down to allow the cord blood to flow into the bag. This is held in place until enough blood has been collected in the bag. If the blood flow stops before adequate collection is complete, the needle is removed and re-inserted to resume the blood flow until the cord is totally devoid of any more blood after which the needle is removed.

Once the collection of the cord blood stem cells and the placenta is completed, the specialized containers are then transported in exact temperature conditions suited for this purpose to the cell bank where they are disinfected, processed, preservative added and then slowly cooled to reach a temperature of -190 degrees Celsius at which it is stored.

Collecting the cord blood stem cells is a very simple procedure that takes just around 2-5 minutes, but it is very important for the professional handling the cord blood to take care that they don’t contaminate the specimen as it may affect the viability and storage of the stem cells.

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The Benefits of Cord Blood Banking

September 28, 2009 By admin

The Benefits of Cord Blood Banking

The joy of parenthood can never be equaled. That’s why parents go the distance to give their children better lives, excellent education and most importantly, enhanced security in terms of health.

Cord Blood Banking can provide that security. It gives parents that sense of protection and peace of mind that somehow, in cases when cord blood is needed to save the life of their children or even their own, it is readily available.cord_blood_banking_benefits

Cord blood is the blood in the umbilical cord, which at present, is being preserved cryogenically from birth, when authorized by parents of a newly born child. It contains stem cells, which can be used for transplantation similar to a bone marrow transplant.

Stem cells are sometimes referred to as the chief cells because they are the ones responsible for creating new tissues and in the organs of a human body.

The stem cells found in cord blood, known as haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) are the foundation of human blood, which contains the immune system of the body. These stem cells naturally replicate into:

• red blood cells
• white blood cells
• platelets

The human body generates these specialized cells through the stem cells and balances them according to a person’s body needs. In some cases of abnormality, one of these cells may be too much or too little for a body to function effectively. That is why there is a need for blood transfusion in certain diseases or in severe accidents because the human body cannot naturally generate the needed cells.

Stem cells can also be found in bone marrow and in the peripheral blood — the blood circulating inside an adult human. These stem cells’ ability to generate or differentiate into the needed cells is not as efficient as the ability of the stem cells found in the cord blood.

This is the reason why cord blood banking came into existence. Before the establishment of cord blood banks, the umbilical cord and the placenta of a newly born were just discarded.

Cord blood banking attracted attention in the late 80’s, when in 1988, the stem cells found in cord blood, saved a boy’s life through stem cell transplantation. At present, nearly 10,000 stem cell transplantations have been done in the US alone.

Although a reported 2% of transplantations fail, statistics show that 98% succeed.  Failures often are attributed to the condition of GVHD (Graft vs. Host Disease) whereby the introduced stem cells are “rejected” by the host body.

Moreover, proteins found in the human body known, as Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) can also cause such failure. HLA determine the compatibility of donor’s tissue with that of the patient. However, these are rare cases.

Thus, cord blood banking facilitates for the convenience of having a ready supply of cord blood. Whether it is a public, private non-profit or a commercial cord blood bank, they all have the same goal, to provide a steady supply of cord blood to people who are in dire need of this precious discovery of humankind.

As the number of people, especially parents are now aware how valuable cord blood is, the cost and expenses that they may entail for its storage in a cord blood bank is so small a price to pay for the opportunity of saving the life of a loved one.

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