Week 24 – Why Bank Cord Blood?
Planning ahead: cord-blood banking
In recent years, a new option has become available for parents who wish to prepare for every possibility. In the past, after a baby was delivered, the placenta and umbilical cord were discarded. Then it was found that these organs are a source of the same kinds of blood-forming stem cells as is bone marrow. These cells can be collected, stored, and, if needed, used to treat a range of serious illnesses.
Cord-blood stem cells are especially useful when the recipient was the source. So, if a child needs stem cells or a bone marrow transplant some day, the first choice will be those from her own cord blood or that of a full sibling. While no one wants to think that a child may develop any of the disorders that can be treated with the help of stem cells, knowing you have these cells if ever they are needed can be reassuring.
Parents who decide to have their newborn’s cord blood collected and stored must arrange to do so in advance of delivery. It is collected soon after birth in both vaginal and cesarean deliveries with a kit ordered ahead of time from a cord-blood bank. The more blood collected, the more stem cells collected. If using the stem cells ever becomes necessary, having more to implant increases the chances of successful transplant.
Once collected and delivered to the cord-blood bank, the stem cells are separated from the rest of the blood and frozen. If needed, they can be thawed and used by the person who donated them, or they can be donated to another person in need. It is believed that the cells can be stored safely and stay effective for decades.
Some parents consider banking their newborn’s cord blood because they have a family medical history of diseases that can be treated with stem cell transplants, including leukemia or lymphoma, anemia, sickle cell anemia, or an immune deficiency. The chance that a child without risk factors will ever need his own banked cord blood is low.
While reassurance is always nice to have, cord-blood banking is expensive and can require a yearly maintenance fee for as long as the blood is stored (and that could be for many years). The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend cord-blood banking for families without a medical history of disease and states, “Banking should be considered if there is a family member with a current or potential need to undergo a stem cell transplantation.”
If your family history suggests that cord-blood banking may be of value, it is good to know the option exists now, in time to make an informed decision.
Your Baby’s Development
* Approximate length 12 to 13 inches, weight 1.25 to 1.5 pounds.
* She still has no fat on her body yet, but her arm and leg muscles are well developed.
* Her eyelids are sealed, but she makes facial expressions: frowning, squinting, and pursing her lips.
* Her nostrils are opening and preparing to draw air into her lungs.
* The alveoli (”air sacs”) in the lungs are forming, but not enough that she can breathe outside the womb.
Parenting Q&A
Q:”At what point can a fetus, though premature, potentially survive outside the womb, provided it is in a hospital with the necessary equipment?”
A:Depending on the care provided before and after birth and the health of the fetus, a baby may survive as early as 24 weeks’ gestation. Severe problems decrease with each day continued in the uterus. Premature babies require the care of a neonatal intensive care unit with nurses and doctors who specialize in their care. The parents of premature infants also provide essential care for their babies and can participate in many ways, including holding and feeding.
Courtesy: University of Virginia Health System
Tags: cord-blood banking, fetus