Understanding the Benefits of Cord Blood Banking

By Lisa M. Karamardian, MD, FACOG, Jeffrey M. Carlton Endowed Chair in Women’s Health, in honor of Dr. Anne M. Kent and medical director of Maternal Child Health

When you’re expecting a baby, there are so many exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) decisions to make — and one you might not know about is whether to store your baby’s cord blood and cord tissue.

Cord blood and tissue are rich in special stem cells that can develop into different types of cells, including blood, bone, muscle, and nerve cells. These powerful cells can be used to treat certain cancers, blood disorders, and other serious conditions. Researchers are also continuing to explore their potential for even more uses in the future.

While cord blood banking isn’t the right choice for every family, learning about it can help you make an informed decision that feels right for you and your baby.

Some potential benefits of cord blood banking include:

Treatment of Blood Disorders: Cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which can be used in the treatment of various blood disorders, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and anemias.

Transplantation: Cord blood stem cells can be used for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which is a treatment option for patients with certain cancers and genetic disorders.

Reduced Risk of Graft vs. Host Disease (GvHD): Compared to other sources of stem cells, such as bone marrow, cord blood transplants have a lower risk of GvHD, a condition where the donor cells attack the recipient’s body.

Immediate Availability: Stored cord blood is readily available for use when needed, unlike bone marrow, which requires a donor match and the collection process.

Potential for Future Therapies: Research is ongoing into the use of cord blood stem cells for regenerative medicine and the treatment of non-hematological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, autism and type 1 diabetes.

Ethical and Non-Invasive Collection: The collection of cord blood is non-invasive and poses no risk to the mother or child, as it is collected after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. You are collecting the cord blood remaining in the placenta and cord that would normally get discarded as medical waste.

Public and Private Banking Options: Cord blood can be stored in public banks for use by anyone in need or in private banks for personal or family use, providing flexibility in potential applications.

Learning about cord blood banking is an important step for every growing family. Taking the time to understand the benefits can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.