Cord Blood Banking Today: Collection, Processing and Storage Explained

Cord blood collection after birth captures hematopoietic stem cells for possible future transplants. Collection can occur in utero or ex utero and is safe in most deliveries. Units are tested for infectious disease, processed to concentrate stem cells, treated with cryoprotectant, and stored at very low temperatures in liquid nitrogen. Parents choose private banking or public donation; professional guidance generally favors public donation unless a family has a known medical need. Verify specific volume goals, storage temperatures, and professional recommendations with your chosen bank and current clinical guidelines.

Cord blood - the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth - contains hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells. Once discarded, it is now routinely collected, tested and cryopreserved for future medical use.

How cord blood is collected

Clinicians use two safe collection approaches. In utero collection occurs before the placenta delivers: after the baby is born and the cord is clamped, the team drains the cord while the placenta is still in the uterus. Ex utero collection happens after the placenta has been delivered and placed in a sterile container; the cord is then drained into a sterile bag.

Both vaginal and cesarean deliveries are compatible with collection in most cases. If complications arise during labor, teams may decide not to collect in order to prioritize maternal or neonatal care.

Typical collected volumes vary and influence how useful a unit will be for transplantation; many banks aim for higher volumes but accept smaller units for research or processing.

Testing and laboratory processing

After collection, samples travel to a processing laboratory - usually within 24-48 hours. Labs test the mother's blood for infectious diseases (for example, HIV, hepatitis B and C, HTLV, and syphilis) and screen the cord unit for bacterial contamination and cell counts. They also perform HLA typing if the unit will be listed for public use.

Processing removes most red blood cells and concentrates white blood cells and stem cells. Technicians add a cryoprotectant (commonly dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) to protect cells during freezing. Some centers use automated systems that standardize volume reduction and stem-cell concentration.

Cryopreservation and storage

Units are slowly cooled and transferred into vapor-phase liquid nitrogen storage for long-term preservation. Storage temperatures used by banks are very low to prevent cellular damage; specific target temperatures vary by facility and protocol. ¹

Banks usually divide policy options into private (family) banking - where parents retain exclusive access - and public donation, where donated units enter a registry for unrelated patients. Ownership and access rules are established by the contract parents sign at the time of collection; many banks inform parents that the donor child gains legal control of privately banked units at the age defined by local law.

Uses and considerations

Cord blood is an established source of stem cells for hematopoietic transplants used to treat certain blood cancers, inherited blood disorders and immune deficiencies. Families with a known, specific medical indication may consider private banking; otherwise, public donation is often encouraged so units can help unrelated patients.

Before deciding, review current recommendations from professional organizations and the policies of the specific bank. If you plan to donate or store cord blood, arrange collection logistics with the birth facility well before delivery.

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1. Confirm typical collected cord blood volume ranges used by current public/private banks (the article references variable volumes; please verify up-to-date averages and thresholds).
2. Verify standard storage temperature targets used by major cord blood banks (vapor-phase liquid nitrogen at what exact temperature or range).
3. Confirm the most recent positions from professional organizations (e.g., AAP, ACOG or international bodies) on private vs public cord blood banking and include exact citation or guidance.