Umbilical Cord Blood: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How Cord Blood Collection Works
Learn what cord blood is, how it's collected, and its potential uses — explained simply by Dr. Najeeb Layyous.
In short: Cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. It is rich in stem cells used to treat some blood diseases, such as leukaemia and anaemia, and immune deficiency. It is collected after the cord is cut, with no pain for mother or baby, then frozen and stored in free public banks or paid private ones. It causes fewer complications than bone marrow transplant, but the number of cells is limited.
In the 1970s, researchers found that umbilical cord blood contains the same kinds of blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells as bone marrow, and in 1988 the first successful cord blood transplant was performed.
Since that discovery, umbilical cord blood has been collected and stored for potential medical use, offering families a meaningful option to consider around the time of birth.
What is cord blood, why is it useful, and how is it used?
Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. It contains stem cells that can be used in transplants for children and young adults.
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are capable of developing into the three main types of mature blood cells in our body (red cells, white cells, and platelets), and they may also have the potential to develop into other, less defined cell types. Because of this, stem cells are being studied for use in treating certain blood and metabolic diseases.
Why is cord blood useful?
Cord blood is used in the treatment of certain blood disorders such as leukemia and sickle-cell anemia, some immune system disorders, and some metabolic disorders like Hurler syndrome.
- Cord blood is being studied in conditions such as cerebral palsy and other conditions affecting the brain, heart, and spine, but these uses are still experimental and are not proven treatments (ACOG 2019).
- More than 40,000 cord blood transplants between relatives and non-relatives have been performed worldwide.
- Stem cells found in cord blood can serve as an alternative to bone marrow transplants for treating certain blood diseases.
- Stem cell transplants using cord blood are generally performed on children or young adults, since the quantity collected is usually not sufficient for a full adult transplant.
- Because stem cells from cord blood are naïve, a perfect donor match is not always required for a successful transplant.
- Some researchers note that if a baby’s illness has a genetic cause, using that same baby’s own stored stem cells could carry a risk of the condition recurring — this is an important point to discuss with a specialist.
Cord blood transplant vs Bone Marrow transplant
- Generally fewer complications with cord blood transplants.
- Easier to find a compatible stem cell match.
- Cord blood can be frozen and stored for many years.
Disadvantages of cord blood transplant
- The stem cell quantity from a single cord may not be sufficient for larger transplants.
Blood counts recover more slowly after a cord blood transplant than after a bone marrow transplant, so the risk of infection lasts longer.
- The stem cells may carry the same genetic abnormalities that caused the child’s illness.
Procedure of cord blood transplant
After delivery, the umbilical cord is clamped on both sides and cut.
Collecting cord blood should never delay clamping of the cord: in a healthy baby the cord is usually clamped after at least one minute, which benefits the baby, and collection is only done when it does not interfere with the care of mother or baby. The blood is then collected before delivery of the placenta. A tube is inserted into the umbilical cord, and the stem cells are separated and stored cryogenically for future use.
What is cord blood banking?
Types of cord blood banks
a. Public cord blood banks
Cord blood is collected from volunteer donors and stored in a public bank, where it can be used by anyone, anywhere, at no charge. This serves as an alternative to a volunteer bone marrow donor.
b. Private cord blood banks
There is a fee for collection and long-term storage, and the stored stem cells are reserved for use by a member of the donor’s own family. It’s worth knowing that the chance of the same child ever needing to use their own stored cord blood is rare.
For this reason, international guidelines encourage donation to a public bank where possible, and recommend private (family) banking mainly when a brother, sister or parent already has a condition that can be treated with a stem cell transplant.
The chance to be used by the same child is rare.
Cord blood collection may not be advisable if:
- The baby is born prematurely.
- Delivery is by emergency C-section.
- Either parent has tested positive for a transmissible infection.
If you’re expecting and would like to discuss whether cord blood collection is a suitable option for your pregnancy and delivery, the team at Dr. Najeeb Layyous’ clinic is happy to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision.
Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G
Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist
The finest doctor in Jordan — may God bless him and his whole medical team. A doctor in every sense of the word. I advise anyone planning a pregnancy to visit Dr. Najeeb Layyous. His manner is wonderful, always smiling, with the highest ethics; he gives every patient her due, and the patient’s comfort matters most to him. We had been to many doctors and none understood and treated my case except him. Special thanks to him and the whole team, and to Dina in particular — a lovely person. I recommend anyone considering IVF or pregnancy to visit his clinic.