Cord blood provides hematopoietic stem cells used in transplants for leukemia, lymphoma, inherited metabolic and immune disorders, and other marrow-failure states. It tolerates greater HLA mismatch and has lower rates of severe graft-versus-host disease, but individual units can have lower cell doses. Options include public donation (free) and private banking (fee-based). Experimental regenerative uses are under study but are not yet standard care.

Overview

Cord blood - the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth - is a rich source of hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells. Since the 1990s it has been used in transplants to restore bone marrow function. Over the last two decades its clinical uses and options for banking or donation have expanded, but so have the clarifications about what it can and cannot do.

Proven clinical uses

Cord blood stem cells are established treatments for many blood and immune system disorders. They are used in hematopoietic stem cell transplants for conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, certain inherited metabolic and immune deficiencies, and other marrow-failure states. Cord blood is especially important when a matched bone marrow donor cannot be found.

Researchers also explore cord blood in regenerative medicine and neurology (for example, trials in cerebral palsy and other conditions), but these uses remain experimental and are not standard care.

Advantages and limitations vs bone marrow

Cord blood transplants have a few consistent advantages:
  • They tolerate a greater degree of HLA mismatch than adult bone marrow or peripheral blood, increasing the pool of usable units for patients without a matched donor.
  • They carry a lower risk of severe graft-versus-host disease in many settings.
Limitations include lower total cell dose per unit, which can make single-unit cord blood transplants less effective for larger or adult patients unless techniques such as double-unit grafts or ex vivo expansion are used.

Banking and donation options

You can either donate cord blood to a public bank (where it may be used by any compatible patient) or store it in a private bank for family use. Public donation is free and supports patients in need; private banking involves fees for collection and yearly storage and is typically recommended when there is a known family risk for a blood or immune disorder.

Cord blood is cryopreserved and can remain viable for many years; successful transplants from long-stored units have been reported. Storage practices follow strict clinical and laboratory standards.

Deciding what to do

Consider family medical history, cost, and the intended use. Public donation is encouraged where available to increase access for patients in need. Private storage may be reasonable if you have a first-degree relative with a condition treatable by stem cell transplant.

Bottom line

Cord blood is a valuable, clinically proven source of stem cells for hematologic and immune disorders, with ongoing research into broader regenerative uses. Choosing donation or private storage depends on individual risk factors, availability of public banking, and cost considerations. Where possible, discuss options with your obstetric provider and a transplant or pediatric hematology specialist before delivery.

: number of diseases currently treated with cord blood
1: maximum reported time length of stored cord blood used in successful transplant
2: current status of clinical trials (e.g., cerebral palsy, autism) and regulatory approvals

  1. Confirm current number of distinct diseases/conditions treated with cord blood (source: Cord Blood Registry/Parent's Guide to Cord Blood/medical reviews).
  2. Verify the longest reported successful transplant using a cryopreserved cord blood unit and cite source.
  3. Review latest clinical trial status and regulatory positions (FDA and major trials) for cord blood in cerebral palsy and other regenerative uses.
  4. Confirm statements about HLA mismatch tolerance and comparative GVHD rates with current transplant registry data.

FAQs about Cord Blood Uses

What conditions can cord blood treat today?
Cord blood is used in hematopoietic stem cell transplants for blood cancers (like leukemia and lymphoma), inherited metabolic diseases, immune deficiencies, and some marrow-failure disorders. Research continues into regenerative and neurologic uses, but those remain experimental.
Should I bank cord blood privately or donate it?
Donate to a public bank if you can - it increases the available supply for patients and is free. Consider private banking if a family member has a known disorder treatable by stem cell transplant or if you prefer guaranteed access; private banking involves collection and annual storage fees.
How long can cord blood be stored and still be useful?
Cord blood is cryopreserved and can remain viable for many years; successful transplants from long-stored units have been reported. Exact maximum storage durations cited in the literature vary and are being updated.
Is cord blood better than bone marrow?
Cord blood has advantages, such as greater tolerance for HLA mismatch and often lower rates of severe graft-versus-host disease. But bone marrow or peripheral blood may be preferred when higher cell doses are needed, particularly for larger adults.
Are there approved uses of cord blood for conditions like cerebral palsy?
Some clinical trials report promising results, but cord blood treatments for cerebral palsy and similar conditions are still experimental and not universally accepted as standard care.