|  Cord
Blood Retrieval
by
Carolyn Amato, RNC
Cord blood retrieval is one of the latest breakthroughs in modern medical
research. The umbilical cord contains blood that is very rich in stem
cells that may be used instead of a bone marrow transplant. This program
allows expectant parents to preserve their babyÕs cord blood for the childÕs
future should the need arise.
What is cord blood?
Cord blood refers to the blood that remains in the umbilical cord
and in the placenta after it is separated from the newborn following childbirth.
The umbilical cord and placenta (also known as afterbirth) are expelled
and usually discarded after childbirth.
The blood found in these organs is rich in a special cell type called
stem cells. Stem cells not only generate all the cell types found in blood
but they also can be used to treat a variety of life threatening diseases
including leukemia, other cancers, blood and immune disorders, and sickle
cell anemia.
Why donate cord blood?
Cord blood can be donated for one of two reasons. First, a parent
may choose to donate the cord blood for use by the child or a sibling
in the event one of those life threatening diseases develops. In this
case the cord blood stem cells will be stored, and no one can access these
cells except the parent or child at the age of consent. Second, the cord
blood can be donated to the community, similar in principle to a routine
blood donation. Under these circumstances the cord blood will be released
for use by a qualified recipient, identified through a registry.
What are the advantages of saving cord blood?
1. Immediate availability of matching stem cells for your child,
eliminating the need to search for a suitable bone marrow donor. 2. Cord
blood has a better chance of being used by a sibling of the same parentsÑconsiderably
higher than a bone marrow match.
3. Increased safety. Cord blood stem transplants have resulted in significantly
lower incidence of life threatening side effects that occur in large percentages
of bone marrow transplantations.
4. Cord blood stem cells are especially suited for use in gene therapy.
Already, through gene therapy, cord blood cells have been used to cure
children born with SCIDS, otherwise known as the Òbubble boyÓ disease.
Researchers are optimistic about similar treatments for AIDS, rheumatoid
arthritis and diabetes.
Collection and Storage
The only time cord blood can be collected is immediately following
the birth of a baby. In a simple 20 minute procedure, it is collected
from the umbilical cord by the attending physician, nurse or technician
after the placenta is expelled and after the umbilical cord is cut from
the newborn. The procedure does not interfere in any way with the birthing
experience. On occasion we are unable to collect sufficient cord blood
to extract the stem cells. The blood is then sealed in specially designed
packaging for immediate delivery to the Community Blood Services laboratory
in Paramus. Once received, the blood is tested, processed and banked.
The cells are carefully stored in a cryogenic freezer using state-of-the-art
procedures for optimal cell preservation; research indicates these cells
could last indefinitely. The cells will be uniquely labeled, and no one
can access these cells except the donor or the child at the age of consent.
Editorial
provided by Carolyn Amato, RNC, Director of Maternal-Child Health at Holy
Name Hospital in New Jersey. |
