Myths about cord blood preservation

According to the Health Minister’s Decree on the Organizational Standard of Perinatal Care, in force since January 1, 2019, “the prenatal education program includes information on the possibility of depositing fetal tissues – including cord blood, umbilical cord – for the purpose of obtaining stem cells.” However, many myths related to cord blood banking are still present in public opinion. What is the truth about stem cell storage?

MIT: Stem cells from cord blood can only be transplanted into young children.

It is believed that the dose needed for transplantation is approx. 20-25 million cells per kilogram of the recipient’s body weight. The average portion of cord blood is “enough” for about a 40-pound recipient. However, the volume of blood drawn varies from case to case.

When you are dealing with an older child weighing more than 30-40 kg, you can use the so-called. Combined transplantation (co-transplantation). A portion of cells from cord blood is then matched with a portion from another source, such as bone marrow, umbilical cord or peripheral blood.

However, it is worth knowing that it is an individual matter how many cells can be obtained during childbirth. A large amount of blood is not always synonymous with a large amount of stem cells. After sample preparation, parents are always informed how many cells were isolated from their child’s cord blood.

MIT: Umbilical cord blood collection influences the baby to be unbuttoned too early and develop anemia

It is always the midwives and doctors who decide at what point the umbilical cord is cut, according to current medical knowledge, the condition of the baby and mother, and the preference of the Parents. According to Poland’s aforementioned Organizational Standard of Perinatal Care, the baby should be unbuttoned no sooner than after 60 seconds. Thus, the collection of cord blood has no effect on the timing of cord cutting. This is blood that remains in the vessels of the umbilical cord and placenta after delivery and would otherwise simply be treated as “medical waste” at the hospital. Experience has shown that even in the case of the so-called “new”. late detachment can be successfully extracted sufficient material from the umbilical cord vessels for later therapeutic use.

MIT: If your child gets sick, you can’t use your own stem cells

Whether one’s own ( autologous) or from a donor ( allogeneic) umbilical cord blood can be used for treatment depends on several factors: the type of disease, the age of the sick patient and the severity of the disease. This decision is always made by the treating physician.  In the case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, one’s own umbilical cord blood cannot be used, but already in the case of acute myeloid leukemia, the stage of the disease will be the deciding factor, and in cerebral palsy, for example, one’s own material is what doctors will reach for. The list of diseases for which cord blood stem cells are used is long and growing. Some of these involve the use of cells from the recipient, and some of their own. PBKM’s experience data as of August 2020 indicates that about 30% of the therapies were based on autologous material. By banking cord blood, you are investing in health and your family’s future. It is worth making this decision after knowing all the facts about stem cell storage, more information: https://www.pbkm.pl/komorki-macierzyste/komorki-macierzyste-i-krew-pepowinowa

MIT: Cord blood banking makes sense, but only in public banks

Parents always have the choice of storing their child’s cord blood in a public or family bank. The former allows the use of stem cells by any patient. By storing them in a family bank, you are assured that if the need arises, the cells will go to someone in your family. If your child becomes ill, you will not be able to use his cells stored in the public bank. Wanting to secure the future of their children, it is better to opt for a family bank.

MIT: Cord blood banking is expensive

Whether something is expensive or cheap is a relative term. The price of stem cell storage depends on the banking option chosen by the Parents. Basic storage for the child’s future involves an expense of about PLN 2 ,000, which can be spread in interest-free installments, and the annual cost of storage payable on each child’s birthday is only PLN 550 (that is, one month of the 500+ benefit is enough to cover the annual subscription).

In addition, if someone does not have the financial ability to use the family bank, he or she can relinquish the rights to cord blood to the aforementioned public bank. Thus, it allows patients outside the family to access treatment, but then there is no possibility of using the cells for the benefit of their relatives.

MIT: Most likely never to benefit from stored cord blood

There is never any certainty about the medical conditions that may happen to  our loved ones. It is estimated that the lifetime probability of using stem cells is about 1:100. In addition, stem cells can serve not only the child from whose cord blood they are derived, but also, with tissue compatibility, their siblings and close family.

Despite the ever-increasing number of indications, they are not applicable to all diseases. However, the list is getting longer all the time, and we cannot predict what discoveries scientists will make over the next few years. It is also worth noting that stem cells can also be used in sick siblings

MIT: Bone marrow transplantation is better than cord blood

The advantage of cord blood-derived stem cells is their lower immune maturity, so they cause fewer complications after transplantation. In addition, they also have 10 times the regenerative capacity of marrow.

Bone marrow is also used to treat leukemia and lymphoma, among other conditions, but time is needed to match a suitable donor and prepare for transplantation. Stem cells from cord blood are prepared in advance, available virtually “off-the-shelf.”

By banking cord blood, you are investing in the health and future of your family. It is worth making this decision after knowing all the facts about stem cell storage.