How Long Can Cord Blood Be Frozen?

Cord Blood and Stem Cell Basics

As the name suggests, cord blood is blood collected from the umbilical cord. Some parents opt to collect and save cord blood when their child is born because cord blood contains special cells called stem cells. Stem cells are cells whose function in the body has not yet been determined. Because of this, stem cells have the ability to become any of the 300 different types of cells found in the human body. This means that stem cells have the potential to cure many diseases at a cellular level. Saving a child's cord blood ensures that a perfectly matched donor--the child herself--will be available if the child becomes ill later in life.

Collection and Testing

Cord blood collection does not affect the birthing process. The child is delivered normally either vaginally or via Cesarean section. After the umbilical cord is cut, it is clamped and the blood remaining in the cord is drained. Collection usually takes about 5 minutes and amounts to 3 to 5 fluid oz. The blood is then sent to the cord blood bank of the parent's choosing where the blood is tested for leukemia, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis and other conditions. Some banks will not store blood if any disorders are found during testing; others will allow the blood to be stored after noting any abnormalities found. It is important to talk to both your health care provider and cord blood bank well in advance of your due date so you know exactly what to expect.

Freezing and Preservation

Before freezing, cord blood is separated either by being spun in a centrifuge or through a process called sedimentation. The separation process divides the blood into plasma, red blood cells and white blood cells. Stem cells are not stored with the red blood cells because red blood cells often rupture when thawed. After separation, stem cells are placed in a solution that helps protect them during the freezing process. The cells are then placed in bags or vials to be frozen, depending on the banking facility. To avoid damage to the cells they are frozen very slowly, eventually reaching temperature of -196 degrees C (-321 degree F). Stem cells have been used successfully after 10 years in storage and many scientists speculate they could last as long as 20 to 30 years.

Private Versus Public Banks

It is important to take into account your personal feelings and intentions when banking cord blood so you can choose the right type of bank. Cord blood can be stored in either a public or private storage bank. Private banks keep frozen cord blood for the exclusive use of the family who banked it. Public banks, however, make cord blood available to the public so that individuals whose cord blood was not banked still have access to stem cells in the event of illness. To ensure that the donor has access to his own blood, some public banks will split cord blood donations, leaving some for the donor's exclusive use and some for public use.

Resources

• Pros and Cons of Banking Cord Blood
• Diseases Treatable Using Cord Blood
• Cord Blood Bank Accreditations