Cord blood banking has become a popular topic in recent years, as more parents are looking into the option of preserving their newborn’s cord blood for future use.
Cord blood contains stem cells that can potentially be used in medical treatments to help fight a variety of diseases and conditions, making it an incredibly valuable resource.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between private and public cord blood banks, including the process, price, and what each has to offer.
What is Cord Blood Banking?
Before we dive into the differences between private and public cord blood banks, it’s essential to understand what cord blood banking is and how it works. Cord blood banking involves collecting and storing a newborn’s umbilical cord blood, which contains critical stem cells. Stem cells are unique in that they have the ability to differentiate into a variety of different cell types, making them a valuable resource for medical treatments.
There are two types of stem cells found in cord blood: hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). HSCs can develop into red and white blood cells and platelets, while MSCs can differentiate into bone, cartilage, and fat cells. Both types of stem cells can be used to treat a variety of conditions and diseases, including cancer, blood disorders, and immune system disorders.
Why Bank Cord Blood?
Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions. There are several reasons why parents may choose to bank their child’s cord blood.
1. Cord blood can be used to treat a range of medical conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia. In fact, cord blood stem cells are FDA-approved to treat over 80 different diseases to date.
2. Storing cord blood provides a form of biological insurance for families. If a child or a close family member is diagnosed with a condition that can be treated with stem cells, having access to a stored cord blood can be life-saving. This is something we will discuss more when it comes to private cord blood banking.
3. Banking cord blood also allows families to participate in medical research. Stem cell research is an area of medicine that is constantly evolving, and scientists are always looking for new ways to use stem cells to treat diseases.
With the benefits of cord blood banking established, let’s break down the differences between private and public cord blood banks.
Private Cord Blood Banks
Private cord blood banks specialize in collecting, processing, and storing cord blood for each family who chooses to purchase this service. Parents who choose to store their child’s cord blood in a private cord blood bank have exclusive access to the stem cells if they are needed in the future. The process of storing cord blood with a private cord blood bank typically involves the following steps:
Enrollment: Parents enroll with the private cord blood bank and pay a fee for the collection, processing, and storage of their child’s cord blood.
Collection: After the baby is born, the umbilical cord blood is collected by a healthcare professional and shipped to the private cord blood bank for processing and storage.
Processing: The cord blood is processed to isolate the stem cells and remove red blood cells or other contaminants that could interfere with the stem cell function.
Storage: The stem cells are stored in a secure facility.
Advantages
Private cord blood banks offer several advantages over public cord blood banks. The most significant advantage is that parents have exclusive access to their child’s stem cells if they are needed in the future. This means that the stem cells are immediately available if the child or a family member needs a stem cell transplant. No one else has access to your family’s stem cells. Additionally, private cord blood banks offer more extensive storage options, including the ability to store the stem cells for the lifetime of your child.
Disadvantages
The downside of private cord blood banks is that they can seem expensive. Enrollment and storage fees can add up quickly, making it difficult for some families to afford private cord blood banking. However, many private cord blood banks offer payment plans or even assistance programs, making cord blood banking more economical for all families. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the stem cells will be a match for the child or a family member, which means that the stem cells may not be usable even if they are needed in the future.
Public Cord Blood Banks
Public cord blood banks collect, process, and store cord blood for free as families choose to donate their child’s cells. The stem cells stored in public cord blood banks are available to anyone who needs them, regardless of whether or not they donated the cord blood. The process of storing cord blood with a public cord blood bank typically involves the following steps:
Enrollment: Parents enroll with the public cord blood bank and sign a consent form to donate their child’s cord blood.
Collection: After the baby is born, the umbilical cord blood is collected by a healthcare professional and shipped to the public cord blood bank for processing and storage.
Processing: The cord blood is processed to isolate the stem cells and remove red blood cells or other contaminants that could interfere with the stem cell function.
Storage: The stem cells are stored in a secure facility and made available for anyone who needs them, regardless of whether or not they donated the cord blood. Families who match with the stem cells typically have to pay a fee to “buy” the stem cells prior to use.
Advantages
Public cord blood banks offer several advantages over private cord blood banks. The most significant advantage is that the stem cells are available to anyone who needs them, regardless of whether or not they are related to the donor. This means that the stem cells can potentially save the lives of many people who would not have access to a stem cell transplant otherwise.
The biggest advantage of public cord blood banks is that they are free to donate to. Parents do not have to pay a fee to donate their child’s cord blood. However, if the need arises, parents will have to pay to use stem cells from a matching donor.
Disadvantages
However, there are also some downsides to public cord blood banks.
Inventory:
One of the main disadvantages is that there are a limited number of stem cells in public banks. Public cord blood banks rely on donations, so there is no guarantee that there will be a match available if someone needs a stem cell transplant. This leads to waitlists as low inventory means there are several individuals likely waiting for matching stem cells.
Matching:
Another disadvantage of public cord blood banks is that the stem cells may not be a match for a specific individual. Unlike private cord blood banks, there is no guarantee that the stem cells stored in a public cord blood bank will be a match for a specific person. This means that even if someone needs a stem cell transplant, they may not be able to use the stem cells stored in a public cord blood bank.
The Right Fit for You
Cord blood banking is a valuable resource for medical treatments, and there are two types of cord blood banks available: private and public. Private cord blood banks offer exclusive access to the stem cells if they are needed in the future, but can be expensive. Public cord blood banks offer free storage of cord blood, but there is no guarantee that the stem cells will be available or a match for a specific individual.
Ultimately, the decision to store cord blood with a private or public cord blood bank is a personal one that should be based on individual circumstances and preferences. It is important for parents to research and consider all options before making a decision about cord blood banking. Talk with your healthcare provider to determine what route may make the most sense for you and your family.
