Cord blood banking is a process in which your baby's blood from the placenta and umbilical cord is collected and stored frozen for future medicinal needs. Similar to the cells found in bone marrow, cord blood contains rich blood-forming stem cells that can be used for transplantation in place of a bone marrow transplant.

Valuable Source of Stem Cells

Blood stem cells are the lifeline of the blood and immune system. Stem cells have the ability to regenerate blood vessels, tissues and organs that can be used to treat many diseases, such as leukemia, cancers, blood disorders and sickle cell anemia.

Ease and Safety

Because cord blood collection doesn't interfere with the care of a mother and newborn baby during the delivery process, cord blood collection is safe. Collection is quick, taking less than 10 minutes.

Immediate Availability

Since cord blood is collected in advance and stored frozen, it can be reserved as soon as it is matched with a needy recipient. Essentially, the cord blood is ready for use once the proper testing is done and a match is found, which typically takes less than a week.

Perfect Match Not Needed

One of the greatest advantages of cord blood is that a perfect match isn't necessary, according to the National Cord Blood Program. Successful cord blood transplantation can be achieved with a partial donor-recipient match.

Fewer Risks to Recipient

Attacks on a patient's own tissues as a result of cord blood transplantation from an unrelated donor is less likely than with a bone marrow transplant. Transmission of certain infections and viruses such as Epstein-Barr or cytomegalovirus are less likely with cord blood transplants.

Source:

National Cord Blood Banking

Baby Center

U.S. Department of Health and Services

More Information:

Cord Blood Registry

Family Health Administration Center for Maternal and Child Health

University of Medicine of New Jersey