One can find a matching cord blood unit and get it delivered to the venue of transplant, within two weeks when approaching a public cord blood bank. On the other hand, finding a suitable bone marrow may take several months. Cord blood samples are tested for infections and stored in an accredited cord blood bank.

 

Chances for contracting graft and host diseases are lesser, when cord blood transplant is performed. However, this has not been verified by long-term observation of a patient after transplant, since it is pretty new. While bone marrow transplant is old enough to have a record of risk factors involved, this is still in developing stage. Cords cells are very similar to that of the cells found in the bone marrow of a person.

 

When blood transplant is involved, matching criteria is relaxed. So, out of six HLA antigens, if two of them match, transplant can be performed successfully. This way, finding a match through a cord blood bank is easier. Hence, cord blood is used for most transplants, to cure diseases concerning immune system.

 

When a parent decides to retain the cord blood cells and preserve it future use, they fail to understand, it may, or may not be usable when required. Doctors may refuse to perform autologous transplants for better reasons. It is always good to accept matched donated cord blood from public cord blood banks that are tested for infections.

 

When donating cord blood, searching for AABB accredited hospital, cord blood bank, or a donation center is ideal. When a regularly visited hospital is registered with a donation center, donation procedure becomes very simple. However, if the hospital is not registered, one should contact NMDP service center near their residence before reaching 34^th week of pregnancy.

 

After an initial check up and questionnaire clearance, one is educated about the process of blood derivation. One can also get their myths cleared if any. At the time of delivery, they are asked to inform the team about donation, because the delivering Obstetric must collect the blood from umbilical cord within 15 minutes after delivery. This is then transported to the cord blood bank for processing, to extract cord blood cells and cryogenic preserving. It is then stored in liquid nitrogen at -196ºC.

 

Accreditation plays an important role in storage standards followed by a cord blood bank. So, it is important that one locates an accredited cord blood bank for donation. Accreditation like AABB(American Association of Blood Banks), or the FACT(Foundation for the accreditation of Cellular Therapy) is what one must look out for.

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