How is Umbilical Cord Blood Collected?
If you are considering cord banking then you will probably like to know how umbilical cord blood is collected and how safe the procedure is.
First of all, there is absolutely no risk or pain involved with collected cord blood samples. The procedure itself happens immediately after childbirth and takes but a few moments to perform.
When the newborn’s umbilical cord blood stem cells are collected the medical team clamps the umbilical cord and removes it from the baby. Only then do they begin the procedure that will collect the cord blood sample.
Unlike harvesting stem cells from bone marrow donors, collecting cord blood stem cells is a rather uncomplicated process that isn’t harmful to either the mother or the child.
Keep in mind, though, that if there are any complications during delivery that there’s a chance that the medical team will not be able to collect the cord blood sample.
Once the umbilical cord is clamped the link between the newborn and the placenta is broken. The process then begins.
Although there are a number of procedures that could be used, the goal is the same. And that’s to collect as large a sample as possible. There’s a direct correlation between the quantity of cord blood that’s collected and the amount of stem cells that will be recovered.
One way to collect cord blood is via a needle that’s attached to a blood bag. Known as “gravity bag collection”, this method is now favored by many cord blood banks. After the needle is inserted into the umbilical cord the bag is lowered and the blood naturally flows into the bag.
If not enough of a sample is collected the needle is withdrawn and then replaced into the umbilical cord vein so that more blood can flow. The process takes approximately five minutes.
Other private cord blood companies and most public cord banks still use a syringe to withdraw the blood sample.
Approximately one third of a cup of cord blood is captured from the umbilical cord at the time of delivery. This blood contains approximately seventy million stem cells, which is a very high density of this type of cell.
These cells can be used in the future to treat immune and blood system related genetic diseases, blood disorders, cancer, and more.
After the cord blood is collected it is shipped to the cord blood bank. It’s been shown that the optimal number of cells can be recovered within a twenty four to forty eight hour window after the baby has been born.
When the sample arrives at the cord blood bank it is processed and tested and cryogenically stored. Initially the sample is quarantined because tests musts determine if it contains any infectious diseases. Most companies use barcodes to label the cord blood samples. This lowers the potential of any identification errors in the future.
Whichever method is used, the procedure does not begin until after the baby is delivered safely.
The cord blood is gradually deep frozen to a temperature of – 196 degrees Celsius. Studies have indicated that these cells can be stored for an indefinite period of time. Since this type of procedure is relatively new, it has been ascertained that properly frozen stem cells will remain viable for at least fifteen to twenty years.
The first harvested stem cells were collected about twenty years ago and samples that have been thawed show no signs of deterioration.
After the stem cells have been frozen they will be stored. If needed the stem cells will be thawed and used either in allogeneic or autologous procedures.
When an allogeneic procedure takes place the recipient of the cord blood will receive stem cells that are donated by another person. It may be a brother or sister, some other close relative, or a complete stranger.
In autologous procedures the recipients receive their own stem cells in a transplant.
About The Author: Robert O. Dewald has written this article.
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