Cord blood storage
Stem Cell Cord Blood Banking
Storage of cord blood can be defined as the procedure that involves collecting, testing, and storing the umbilical cord blood after the baby has been born. Cord blood which remains inside the umbilical cord and the placenta after delivery contains hematopoietic stem cells that have currently been used in treatment procedures for blood cancers, some blood disorders, bone marrow failures, and immune diseases.
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Storage of cord blood can be defined as the procedure that involves collecting, testing, and storing the umbilical cord blood after the baby has been born. Cord blood which remains inside the umbilical cord and the placenta after delivery contains hematopoietic stem cells that have currently been used in treatment procedures for blood cancers, some blood disorders, bone marrow failures, and immune diseases.
Collection of the cord blood is done after birth when the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. It is a totally painless process which does not cause any disruption to the natural birthing process. After collecting the umbilical cord blood, the next step is testing, processing, and storing of the cord blood in special laboratories.
For Malaysia, cord blood banking is conducted following regulatory guidelines from the Ministry of Health (MOH). Examples of such guidelines include the National Standards for Cord Blood Banking and Transplantation and other related guidelines for hemopoietic stem cell therapy. Such guidelines provide guidance and specify the requirements in donor screening, laboratory quality management, cryopreservation, traceability, and the clinical release of the stored cord blood units.
Cord blood can be stored either publicly or privately. Cord blood stored publicly will be accessible to any compatible recipient requiring a transplant while those privately stored are meant only for the family's personal use in the future.
01 · Medical significance
Why Is Cord Blood Banking Important?
Lymphoma.
Aplastic anaemia.
Thalassaemia major.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
Selected inherited immune deficiencies.
Certain inherited metabolic disorders.
It is known that umbilical cord blood is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). It is these stem cells that produce red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets over one’s lifetime. Hematopoietic stem cells are actively used during authorized HSCT procedures for certain types of blood and immune disorders. Due to the fact that cord blood is taken after birth and is stored under certain conditions, it can serve as an extra source of stem cells for transplantation when necessary.
Cord blood banking is accepted in Malaysia as part of the official strategy of stem cell transplantation developed by the Ministry of Health.
Medical Importance of Cord Blood
Stored cord blood may serve as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for patients requiring transplantation for conditions such as:
- Leukaemia.
- Lymphoma.
- Aplastic anaemia.
- Thalassaemia major.
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
- Selected inherited immune deficiencies.
- Certain inherited metabolic disorders.
| Advantages of Cord Blood Stem Cells |
|---|
| Collection is safe and painless after childbirth. Stem cells are collected before exposure to many environmental factors. Cryopreserved units are immediately available when needed. Cord blood may require less stringent HLA matching than some other stem cell sources in selected transplant situations. It provides an additional option when a matched bone marrow donor cannot be identified. |
02 · Timing is everything
How Cord Blood Banking Works
Cord blood stage
The procedure starts before birth, where the expectant parents are provided with information on cord blood banking and get their consent in case they decide to use it. History and…
The procedure involved in cord blood banking involves the implementation of a well-regulated process intended to ensure the maintenance of the quality and viability of the hematopoietic stem cells for future therapeutic use. In Malaysia, cord blood banking is done according to Ministry of Health guidelines and quality management systems.
Parental Consent Before Delivery
The procedure starts before birth, where the expectant parents are provided with information on cord blood banking and get their consent in case they decide to use it. History and eligibility tests are carried out as well, to ensure that the collection procedure meets the set standards of safety.
Cord Blood Collection
Following delivery of the baby, clamping, and cutting of the umbilical cord, the blood present in the umbilical cord and placenta is collected by using a sterile collection kit. The procedure:
- Is painless for both mother and baby.
- Does not interfere with routine delivery.
- Usually takes only a few minutes.
- Is performed by trained healthcare professionals.
Transportation and Laboratory Processing
The cord blood will be transported to the laboratory after collection. The following procedures are then performed on the cord blood by the specialists:
- Sample identification.
- Stem cell quantification and viability check.
- Quality and sterility checks.
- Preparation of the cord blood for storage.
Infectious Disease Screening
For future protection of patients who need the cord blood for transplantation, the mother’s blood sample is tested for any infections as per the standard procedures for Malaysia. Other tests include the blood type test, HLA test if necessary, and other tests to determine quality before storage.
Cryopreservation and Long-Term Storage
Following the processing stage, the cord blood will then be mixed with a preservative solution that helps protect it and then slowly frozen using approved cryopreservation procedures before being stored in liquid nitrogen in extreme cold conditions. Monitoring systems continuously provide consistent storage conditions while maintaining full traceability and quality control during the storage period.
Retrieval for Clinical Use
When it comes time to use the cord blood that has been stored, if there is approval of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, then the cord blood will be thawed under controlled conditions in the laboratory and prepared for transplantation. It depends on several considerations whether it is going to be used or not.
Conclusion
The use of cord blood banks presents an ideal means by which hematopoietic stem cells from the umbilical cord can be stored after childbirth. It has been proven that hematopoietic stem cells are useful in the management of certain forms of blood cancers, blood disorders, bone marrow failures, and immune disorders through hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Cord blood banking in Malaysia is regulated based on guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health.
Cord blood storage questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cord blood banking involves the storage of blood present in the umbilical cord post-delivery for future medical applications.
Collection of cord blood takes place immediately following delivery of the baby and clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord. It is a safe, painless process which does not harm either the mother or the baby.
Cord blood cells are applied in an approved hematopoietic stem cell transplant for some specified conditions, which include leukemia, lymphoma, aplastic anemia, thalassemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and particular immune system diseases.
Yes. Cord blood banking in Malaysia is regulated by the Ministry of Health through national standards and guidelines on donor screening, laboratory processing, cryopreservation, storage, quality assurance, and transplantation.
In public banking, cord blood is made available to any individual requiring a transplant who is compatible, while in private banking, cord blood is preserved solely for the child and his/her relatives.
Cord blood storage
Plan collection and storage before delivery.
Understand timing, consent, processing, quality standards, ownership, and access before choosing a bank.
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