Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells that can be used for transplantation much as bone marrow can be used. The typical patient needing such a transplant has acute leukemia or other bone marrow disorder. The stem cells in the blood of the placenta can be frozen and stored for many years.
The Cleveland Clinic does not participate in cord blood banking, nor do we accept cord blood for research.
There are two contexts in which cord blood banking is considered. The first is banking the cord blood cells anonymously for use by anyone who might need them. Because stem cells must be exactly matched to the recipient to grow, and because there are many stem cell types, a bank of this type must be very large. Parents donate their baby's cord blood to such a program for general, altruistic motives. Such banks take the cord blood and store it at no charge to the family.
The second context is cord blood banking for personal use. In the very unlikely event that the child develops acute leukemia or similar disorder, his/her stem cells will have been frozen away. There are a number of commercial cord blood banks that operate in this market. The cost to the family is considerable. Additional costs may include services by the delivering obstetrician and/or the hospital charges for collection and shipping.
It is the patient's responsibility to arrange essentially everything. The cord blood bank company sends the collection kit to the mother, who brings the collection kit to the hospital, the obstetric provide will collect the blood, and the mother sends the completed kit back to the company.
Private banking of cord blood is a matter between a woman and her obstetrician.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 10/8/2004
