Should I bank my Baby's Cord Blood?

Cord Blood Banking is an important decision facing most today's would be Parents...

In the last decade, several parents have begun seriously thinking about banking of umbilical cord blood of their babies. While this practice of collecting and banking cord blood is still not common, it is increasing as awareness about its benefits is rising.

Umbilical cord blood may be the future of medical treatments.
Currently, more than 75 diseases, immunodeficiencies and other diseases can be treated with cord blood transplant. It is effective for the treatment of certain types of cancers, blood disorders and auto immune diseases. Umbilical cord blood can be used not only for the baby from whose umbilical cord it was collected, but also for other family members like the siblings of the baby.

Cord Blood banks can be classified as private and public cord blood banks. If you wish to bank your baby’s umbilical cord blood for your child or other family members, then you should choose a private cord blood bank. However, it is important to note that private cord blood banks can be expensive as you have to pay for the collection of umbilical cord blood and annual storage fees. In addition to a large initial processing and banking fee, you then have to pay an annual storage fee. First-year fees can range from $595 to $1,835, depending on which private bank you choose. Annual storage fees are usually about $95. But in certain cases, you should surely consider private storage of cord blood.

Parents of babies from ethnic minorities should definitely consider cord blood banking since it is difficult to find bone marrow match. Private banking of cord blood is also a good idea when there is a family history of diseases treatable with cord blood. On the other hand, umbilical cord blood stored in a public bank can be used by anyone who needs it

Learn more about private cord blood banks versus public cord blood banks