We all know that the baby in a mother's womb is provided with the necessary nutrition through the umbilical cord and placenta. But after the baby is born, the umbilical cord and placenta do not receive much attention. However, thanks to advanced medical science , many parents today have a good reason to think twice about this tissue that is usually thrown away. That is the concept of 'cord blood banking'.
Simply put, what is Cord Blood Banking?
Cord blood banking is the process of collecting the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth, separating the extremely valuable stem cells contained in it, and storing them for future use.
Now you may be wondering what these stem cells are. It's very simple. These are the 'basic' type of cells in our body. That is, these cells can take on the form of any other type of cell in our body (for example, blood cells, nerve cells, heart cells). Because of this amazing ability, these stem cells can be used to treat a number of serious diseases. They are especially used to treat diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, certain types of anemia, and immune system disorders .
If you are interested in this method, you should start preparing for it about two months before the baby is born . As soon as the baby is born, a doctor or nurse will collect the remaining blood and a small piece of the umbilical cord using a special method. The sample is then sent to a storage center (Bank). There, it is cleaned and stored in a freezer.
Why would anyone think about something like this?
There may be various reasons for resorting to this.
- Family medical history: Imagine if someone in your family has a disease that can be treated with stem cells (e.g. leukemia), this is a good opportunity to use if your child or another family member develops such a disease in the future.
- A precaution for the future: Some parents, even though there is no family history of the disease, have stored these cells for their child's safety , thinking, "Who knows what will happen in the future?"
- As a public donation: Others donate their baby's cord blood to a public bank, free of charge. Then, someone else in the world who needs these cells will have the opportunity to save their life. This is a very noble thing.
However, we must also be aware of the limitations of this method.
As good as this is, like everything else, this method has its limitations and disadvantages. It is important to have a clear understanding of these as well.
The main thing is that the chances of these stored cells actually being used are very low. According to studies, the chances of a child developing a disease that requires these cells are as low as 1 in 2,500 .
- Cannot be used for genetic diseases: Imagine, if your baby is born with a genetic disease, the stem cells in his umbilical cord blood also have the same genetic defect. Therefore, those cells cannot be used to treat that child . However, cells taken from a healthy child, if they are a match, can be given to a sick child.
- Limited number of cells: The number of stem cells that can be obtained from a single birth is usually enough to treat a child or young person . However, the number of cells needed to treat a fully grown adult is much larger. Therefore, the cells obtained from a single umbilical cord may not be enough.
- Uncertainty about shelf life: It is not yet 100% proven whether the efficacy and safety of these cells remain the same after a child is born and until they become adults (for several years).
Your options: Public or Private?
If you decide to do Cord Blood Banking, you have two main options: Public Banks and Private Banks. It is important to understand the difference between the two.
| Feature | Public Banks | Private Banks |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Received as a donation. Can be used by anyone in the world. | Keep it reserved for your child or family only. |
| Right | Once you donate cells, you no longer own them. The bank owns them. | You own the full ownership of the cells. |
| Fees | There are no fees. Collection and storage are free. | High fees apply. A large amount of money (e.g. Rs. 3-5 lakhs) is required to collect and an annual storage fee is also required. |
| Usefulness | If you or your family need a matching cell supply in the future, you can search the public registry for matching cells (but you will not receive the same cells as the one you donated). | If the need arises, the stored cells can be retrieved immediately. |
How to choose a good cord blood bank?
If you are choosing a private bank, research these factors carefully before making a decision. You can ask your doctor for more information about this.
- Financial stability : Is the institution sustainable and reliable? What happens if it suddenly closes?
- Policies: Is there a clear policy on what happens to your child's cells if the institution closes?
- Experience and methodology: Does the institution handle a large number of samples? Large banks generally have high quality control.
- Fees: Can you afford the initial fee and annual fees? Will these fees increase over time?
The most important thing is to think about all of this carefully, discuss it with your doctor , and make the right decision that best suits you and your family.
Take-Home Message
- Cord Blood Banking is the storage of valuable stem cells from the umbilical cord blood after childbirth for future use.
- Although these cells can be used to treat serious diseases such as leukemia, the likelihood that they will actually be needed is very low.
- If your child has a genetic disease, the child's own cells cannot be used to treat him/her.
- You can donate to a public bank for free or pay into a private bank and keep it for your family.
- Before making any decision, carefully consider the pros, cons, and high costs, and be sure to discuss it with your doctor.
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