UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD
Several years ago, almost nobody knew that following the birth of an infant and after the umbilical cord and placenta were cut, they could be used for the treatment of different kind of diseases, making possible that the birth of a new life could potentially save another life in the future.. Traditionally, the umbilical cord was discarded, but nowadays with the awareness of its benefits, umbilical cord blood is being saved and stored.
It is important to let the hospital know about your intentions of donating the umbillical cord blood. In this way, a qualified member of the staff will be present at the time of the birth. Such staff member will be the one to collect both, the placenta and umbilical cord blood using a syringe or a blood bag. Then, it is wrapped and sent to the cord blood bank using the fastest way for its delivery. However, cord blood banks offer to send out a courier to collect the cord blood from the hospital. This way, they assure themselves that the cord blood is quickly processed.
After the cord blood collection, it is tested for bacterial contamination. Total nucleated CD34 and viability cell count, both before and after processing, are done. Mother’s blood is tested for all infectious disease, as required by the AABB and State Licensure. Then, cord blood stem cells are cryopreserved in 10% dimethyl sulfoxide within a multiple compartment cryo-bag and quarantined in the liquid nitrogen steam phase while infectious disease testing are done. Each 25 cc multiple compartment bag, is encased in a metal sleeve that helps for freezing and protection of the umbilical cord blood collection. Also, cord blood is prepared for storage at extremely low temperatures. The majority of red blood cells and plasma (which are not needed for transplant) are removed and the attention is concentrated in the white blood cells. Then, an agent is added to protect the cells from damage during freezing and storage.
Once it has been stored in liquid nitrogen, the stem cells are maintained at the cord blood bank until they are needed. It has been proved that these frozen stem cells can be used after a decade of storage, even though scientists are still researching to determine a more precise storage time frame. In despite of this fact, stem cells have proved that they can save lives after several years of being stored at the bank.
All storage processes above mentioned are extremely important because when the umbilical cord blood is needed for a transplant, the doctor needs to know if it is infection disease-free to be able to proceed with the transplant, and try to save another patient suffering for malign disease.