How long does it take to search for a cord blood donor?
At least a month less than to find a bone marrow donor. Median time to chose a Cord Blood unit is 13.5 days (range, 2-387), compared to median time to approve an unrelated bone marrow donor of 49 days (range, 32-293), in a summary of 171 donor searches over the course of a [...]
What is the long-term viability of frozen cord blood?
(Actually, all the studies of Cord Blood viability have been done on samples of separated Mono-Nuclear Cells, not whole blood.) Answer: So far, recovery of viable Stem Cells from Cord Blood is over 90% at 15 years.
References:
Kobylka, P., et al. 1998, Transplantation, 65(9):1275-1278.
Mugishima, H., et al. 1999, Bone Marrow Transplant, 23(4):395-396.
Broxmeyer, H. E., [...]
What is the optimum cord blood storage container, bags or vials?
Scientific answer:
Existing scientific studies do not show a significant difference between the cell dose and cell viability of Cord Blood stored in bags versus vials. There have been successful transplants with Cord Blood that had been stored for years using either method.
History:
Historically, the use of bags and vials have existed in parallel for [...]
What is the optimum cord blood collection method, gravity drip versus syringe?
Answer: Studies have shown that pulling the blood out with a syringe tends to draw a bigger sample than simply letting the blood drip by gravity into a bag.
References:
Bertolini F, et al. (1995) J Hematother Feb;4(1):29-36. “Comparative study of different procedures for the collection and banking of umbilical Cord Blood.”
Elchalal U, et al. [...]
Is it better to collect cord blood before or after delivery of the placenta?
Answer: This is a close call.
References:
Solves P, et al. 2003; Bone Marrow Transplant. 2003 Feb;31(4):269-73. In a sample of 569 vaginal deliveries, a larger volume and a higher number of Stem Cells were harvested from the in utero collection group.
Lasky, LC, et al. 2002; Transfusion Oct;42(10):1261-7 They say that, in terms of sample [...]
