Does Cord Blood Have a Medical Value Or Is It a Medical Waste?

The cord blood and tissue banking cost can be quite expensive for the majority of couples. But is it worth your investment? Does it even have a medical value? Let’s find out here.

What is the Cord Blood and Tissue Banking Cost and What is Its Medical Value? 

First, let’s talk about the cost of banking your cord blood privately. But you won’t like it because it’s kind of expensive.

The overall cost depends on the bank where you will store it. But don’t worry because there are banks that offer promos to lower the cost.

The initial processing fees can start at $500 but they can go higher than $2,500. There are also annual storage fees you have to deal with. The storage fee can be as low as $100 or as high as $300 per year.

There are private banks that will waive the fees if one of your family members will benefit from the bank’s cells. But the savings are only given if you meet the criteria.

Read: Are Stem Cell Supplements Beneficial?

Now, does it even have value medically?

What Is Cord Blood’s Medical Value?

Cord blood used to be medical waste. Doctors just threw them away after the mother gave birth.

But it turned out that cord blood has medical value. It contains blood-forming stem cells. When these cells are transplanted, they can rebuild the bone marrow and the immune system.

In other words, they can save a patient’s life who suffers from a serious blood disease. Cord blood can be used to treat leukemia, sickle cell disease, and lymphoma.

Patients with inherited genetic disorders can benefit from stem cell infusion.

The first stem cell transplant was performed in 1988. And it was a success. Since then, over 40,000 patients with serious medical disorders and diseases have benefited from treatments involving stem cells.

So, yes, cord blood has medical value.

How Will Cord Blood Collection Affect the Baby? 

It doesn’t have an effect on the baby. Cord blood collection is performed after birth. Once the baby is delivered, the cord is cut.

The doctor won’t take any blood from your baby to collect the cord blood.

Furthermore, the collection doesn’t affect labor and how you deliver the baby. It also doesn’t pose any risk to you or the baby.

Read: Preparing for Childbirth

Can It Be Donated at Any Hospital? 

Not all hospitals accept cord blood donation. For that reason, you need to coordinate with your doctor before childbirth. In that way, your doctor can arrange the collection procedure.

Can Stem Cells be Accessed from Other Sources?

Yes, stem cells can be accessed from other sources. Cord blood is one. The other sources are bone marrow and the blood circulating through the body.

Each source has its own pros and cons.

But cord blood is more beneficial because it’s not exposed to viruses and other pollutants that can change cell function.

Furthermore, the cells are immature. Because they can tolerate a recipient, they don’t need to be matched closely to the patient.

Cord blood is also preferred for patients suffering from any life-threatening genetic disorder or who require a transplant quickly.

Conclusion 

Is it worth paying for cord blood and tissue banking cost? It depends on your situation. If you have a family member who suffers from one of the diseases that cord blood transplant is used to treat, then it’s worth it.

If you want to know more about cord blood, please visit the cord blood registry pros and cons.