How Is Cord Blood Stored?

The term "cord blood" is short for "umbilical cord blood." Cord blood is removed from the umbilical cord (the lifeline between a fetus and a pregnant woman) shortly after the baby is delivered. Cord blood can be removed using a syringe or by simply draining the blood into a sanitary blood bag. It should be collected no more than 20 minutes after the delivery of the baby. Cord blood is then stored for later use due to the face that it is an extremely rich source of stem cells.

Cord blood is stored in a blood bank, usually in a cryogenic state. The cord blood is collected, shipped to a blood bank and then flash-frozen and kept until needed for future use. Donated cord blood that will be used more quickly is sometimes only refrigerated until its use. Cord blood can be stored in either a public or a private blood bank, depending on the circumstances involved and the geographical area in which the delivery takes place.

Cord blood that is stored at a private blood bank in a cryogenic state should, if current estimates prove correct, be viable throughout the lifetime of the newborn infant. The process can, however, be a relatively costly one (costing up to several thousand dollars) and there is generally an additional cost each month or year to continue storing the cord blood. The probability that your baby will require a stem cell implant from their cord blood is relatively low, estimated at about 1 in 435. On the other hand, despite this low probability, storing cord blood can bring a priceless sense of security to the parents and grant them peace of mind. In the end, then, it's simply a question of whether the cost of cord blood banking is worth its benefits. It's also worth mentioning that it is possible to donate cord blood at no cost if you elect not to store it privately.

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