Umbilical Cord Blood Collection, Storage and Transplantation: Issues and Recommendations for Expectant Parents and Patients

Abstract

Clinical investigators have recently explored the suitability of umbilical cord blood as an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for children and adults in need of transplantation who do not have suitably matched bone marrow donors. Despite the great benefits that cord blood may offer patients in need of a transplant procedure, there exists a number of uncertainties regarding cord blood banking and transplantation. To better delineate the issues pertaining to cord blood collection, storage and transplantation and to formulate recommendations that may be helpful to patients and expectant parents, a meeting of individuals with expertise in pediatric hematology/oncology, stem cell transplantation, obstetrics, cord blood banking, cord blood biology, ethics, law, and governmental regulation was convened. In this report, we summarize the proceedings of that meeting and attempt to clarify many of the complex issues expectant parents and patients may confront regarding cord blood collection, banking and transplantation.

Keywords: Blood, Cord Blood, Parents, Patients, Transplantation, Genetics, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Blood Transfusion, Donation / Procurement of Organs and Tissues, Health Care for Newborns and Minors