cord blood banks near me

July 14, 2021
medical information database

 Cord blood

 A newborn baby brings exciting new possibilities , and  range of decisions .  One of the most important decisions is whether , to preserve the baby’s umbilical cord blood and tissue .

 

We’ve heard about cord blood banks , but we don’t really know why we need to preserve your baby’s umbilical cord blood .

 

  •  Are you considering cord blood banks after your baby is born . today we will talk about the latest information coming , about Cord Blood , and Cord Blood Banks .
 
  •  We will give you the best information , based on evidence , to help you get the best possible outcome for you and your baby .

 

  •  One of the most frequently asked questions recently , for all mothers and fathers ;  Is to do a cord blood bank , after their baby is born , is it a good idea or not?.
 
  • It’s a common question and the answer is more accurate , we want to get into it .  So we are going to talk about the two different types of public and private cord blood banks . also some of the potential benefits and uses ; that exist .

 

 cord blood banks

  •  Let’s have a quick discussion about what exactly is a cord blood bank? . When the baby is born , the cord is clamped and cut after a short period of time . 

 

  • There is still blood inside , this cord from the placenta . this blood we’re talking about can be drawn into a collection kit , and sent to the lab for storage .

 

 Cord blood collection

  •  At this point , the placenta is still attached to the uterus , and the blood we are talking about is the blood that was circulating inside the baby .

 

  •  You will have a good sized specimen , enough to store for future use .

 

  • The collection of umbilical cord blood and tissue , after your baby is born , takes only a few minutes and poses absolutely no risks to either the mother or the baby .

 

  • It is a highly regulated industry , which is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) .

 

Cord blood cells

  • Inside the sac of blood that’s now collected , there are fetal red blood cells , white blood cells, platelets , antibodies and all sorts of other things .

 

  • But another component present, within the umbilical cord blood is stem cells .

 

  • Cord blood contains thousands of strong immature stem cells .  which can treat a myriad ;  of diseases and disorders .

 

  •  Stem cells are basically cells that have the ability to make any blood cell , much like the cells in your bone marrow .

 

  • Studies show that cord blood can be powerfully effective , in treating dozens of powerful ailments . Including cell diseases , such as leukemia , sickle cell , and some genetic disorders .

 

 Cord blood stem cells

  •  Cord blood and its tissues contain stem cells , which are the building blocks of all other tissues in the body .

 

  • The concept of cord blood storing potent stem cells is not new .  But what has emerged in recent pots , is the number of diseases and disorders that , in children , even adults , these stem cells may be able to treat .

 

 benefits of umbilical cord blood banking

  •  Cord blood stem cells are used to treat nearly 80 diseases .  Including cerebral palsy , leukemia , autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders .

 

  •  In fact ; as we age , many of these conditions become more common , so the need for stem cells may increase over time.

 

  •  So the idea is that if there is a medical condition it can be treated with a bone marrow transplant . Then you have some preserved stem cells , from umbilical cord blood in blood banks .

 

  • Those cells can be used and that’s actually easier than trying to find , a bone marrow donor .

 

  • The chance of transplant matching is much greater from a relative of yours , than an unrelated donor . Transplant patients recover better , when the stem cell donor is related .

 

  • This has increased the popularity of the idea of ​​storing the fetus’s umbilical cord blood for future use .

 

  • Cord blood bank is a great opportunity . But it does require scientific and medical expertise , along with some great fancy equipment .

 

 Cord blood bank cost

  •  So as we said there are two types of cord blood banks , there are public and private banks .

 

  • Private banks are usually for-profit businesses . The parents are responsible for all fees associated with the processing , collection , and storage of their fetal blood unit . 

 

  • The cost can be over a thousand dollars just for the initial step , from collecting the unit and actually processing it . Then there is also the annual fee for continuous storage.

 

  • Public blood banks are free , public banks are not much different from the Red Cross .

 

  •  You only donate blood , and it is stored for use . The difference there is of course the cost is covered for the patient who actually uses it , usually through their own insurance .

 

  • So it does not cost the parents anything to donate , to the umbilical cord bank .  Whereas if you use a private bank , it can be very expensive .

 

  • So the question is really who can benefit from a cord blood bank , in a baby? :
 
  • the unfortunate answer ;  it is not usually your child .  Because this blood is used , for diseases such as sickle cell , leukemia or other hemoglobin . 
 
  • Usually you need blood from a person , who does not have this disease .

 

  • So if you think about it , if you save blood from someone who has a genetic predisposition , to get leukemia .  And one day, if you give that blood back , he will likely get leukemia again .  So don’t use a unit of a person’s blood , to try to replace the bone marrow ;  After being treated for leukemia .

 

  •  But for a privately stored unit of cord blood , for a sibling .  There are some specific situations in which it might make sense , to pay the money . To provide that unit of blood . 

 

  • So let’s say you already have a baby with sickle cell . Sickle cell disease is an inherited , autosomal recessive trait .  This means that both the mother and the father carry the sickle cell gene , so the baby will get sick .

 

  •  If you have a child with sickle cell disease , then with a later child .  And hoping he doesn’t have sickle cell disease .  These stem cells can be used to treat your first baby , and you’ll likely offer a cure for that .

 

  •  In this case, the concept itself makes perfect sense , if you have one child with leukemia , and another healthy one .

 

  • If you will be providing cord blood from a healthy baby that can be used in your baby ; who has been diagnosed with leukemia  .  If you already have a baby who is infected , it makes perfect sense , for you to do a cord blood bank .

 

  •  So these are probably the two most common cases ; where we recommend actually spending money to conduct private cord blood banks . 
 
 
  • Otherwise we wouldn’t really recommend it , there are estimates from different studies , which have estimated your odds of using your baby’s cord blood unit .  In about one in two thousand to twenty-one thousand .

 

cord blood donation

  •  So it is not very likely that you will spend a lot of money , for a small opportunity .  But in the end , you are free to do whatever you want with your money . 

 

  • But if in your area there is a public cord blood bank , we definitely recommend a donation .  And if you have a chance to protect your child’s stem cells , you definitely should .

 

  •  You can keep the stem cells , for the exclusive use of your family .  Or donate it to a public bank .  And if donating is an option for you , there is no cost to you .
 
  • We hope that the information we shared with you , will be useful and help you make your decision .