Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I store cord blood stem cells now? If they are needed in the future why not take them from Bone Marrow?
Why should I collect and store with ASCH as opposed to another private company?
Why should I collect and store with ASCH as opposed to donating to the public cord blood bank?
Is storing my baby's cord blood stems cells like an "Insurance Policy" for the future?
At birth when should my baby's umbilical cord blood be clamped?
What length of umbilical cord is required for the collection of cord blood?
What happens in the case of a caesarian, forceps or vacuum assisted birth?
What happens if my baby is born prematurely?
What happens if an inadequate amount of cord blood is collected?
How long can umbilical cord blood stem cells be stored for?
What screening tests are performed on the Maternal Blood Sample?
Can my stored stem cells be sold or passed on to another company?
Is there an additional surcharge if my baby is born on a weekend or public holiday?
What is the likelihood of ever using banked cord blood?
If I privately bank my baby's cord blood am I depriving the public registry of a sample?
Does cord blood collection deprive my baby of important blood?
Why should I store cord blood stem cells now? If they are needed in the future why not take them from Bone Marrow?
Cord blood stem cells are very immature adult stem cells, and therefore have a greater ability to differentiate into other cell types. They have not been exposed to the many toxins and radiation we all experience in everyday life, and are therefore healthier than bone marrow stem cells. Cord blood stem cells are much more tolerant to HLA tissue mismatching than bone marrow, therefore leading to lower rates of graft versus host disease. They have a longer growth potential and have been shown to have a greater rate of engraftment. Most importantly, collection of cord blood stem cells is painless and risk free to both mother and baby. Collection of bone marrow stem cells is invasive and there are certain risks associated with bone marrow collection.
I have heard that a baby's own stem cells are unable to treat conditions such as leukaemia because they are genetically coded with the disease. Is this true?
The treatment of leukaemia is complex and different approaches are undertaken depending upon various factors. Stem cell transplantation is often performed for the treatment of leukaemia. In many cases a specific stem cell donor is preferred but where a donor cannot be identified then use of the child’s own stem cells is an accepted form of therapy. These are often collected during the course of treatment. However, if a child has cord blood stem cells stored then these could certainly be considered for use.
Why should I collect and store with ASCH as opposed to another private company?
ASCH is dedicated to achieving the highest quality standard in all aspects of training, cord blood collection, data collection, transport, quarantine and storage. Our quality system and procedures comply with the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice.
ASCH only stores cord blood stem cells...that’s our business!
Why should I collect and store with ASCH as opposed to donating to the public cord blood bank?
Cord blood stem cells are a precious commodity, usually discarded as medical waste. ASCH encourages people to donate to the public bank if they choose not to privately store.
By storing with ASCH, collection is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week Australia wide and retrieval of your child's own stem cells is guaranteed, thus ensuring 100% compatibility.
Is storing my baby's cord blood stems cells like an "Insurance Policy" for the future?
The storage of your baby’s cord blood stem cells cannot offer a guaranteed cure for any medical condition or disease. However, storing your cord blood stem cells with ASCH ensures these stem cells are immediately available should they ever be required.
At birth when should my baby's umbilical cord blood be clamped?
In order to obtain a higher yield of blood for collection, it is suggested that your baby’s umbilical cord be clamped and cut as soon as possible after the baby’s birth. However, if you feel strongly about the cord being left unclamped and uncut until pulsations have ceased, this may be possible too.
What length of umbilical cord is required for the collection of cord blood?
If the cord is cut and clamped nearest to the baby, allowing for a couple of centimeters in between (which is normal practice), this will allow for easier cord blood collection.
What happens in the case of a caesarian, forceps or vacuum assisted birth?
The process of cord blood collection does not interfere with the birthing process nor with the safety of mother or baby, therefore there should be no problem.
What happens if my baby is born prematurely?
Prematurity is not an issue unless your baby is born less than 35 weeks gestation. This is due to a typically smaller baby, and therefore smaller placenta, which does not normally allow for a sufficient yield of cord blood.
What happens if an inadequate amount of cord blood is collected?
We aim to collect at least 35mls of cord blood, however we are usually able to collect much more. This amount of cord blood gives us sufficient stem cells to process and store for your child’s future.
If less than 35mls of cord blood is collected, there are two (2) options:
Between 20- 35mls collected:
There is an option to have the sample analysed for the number of stem cells. Often, despite a smaller yield of blood, there are actually an adequate number of stem cells, which can be processed and stored.
All kits will be returned to the processing laboratory to confirm volume, before a decision is made regarding processing and storage.
Less than 20mls collected (or if you choose not to take the above option):
We will be unable to process and store your cord blood, as the number of stem cells in this yield of cord blood is insufficient. Your monies, less the cost of the collection kit and costs incurred up to this stage will be refunded.
Again, all kits will be returned to the processing laboratory to confirm volume, before a decision is made regarding processing and storage.
How are stem cells stored?
The stem cells themselves are stored in ‘cassettes’ in ‘vapour-phase’ liquid nitrogen at -196°C. Each cassette holds 20mls of stem cells.
If more than 60mls of cord blood is collected, there will always be two cassettes of stem cells stored. Each cassette can then be accessed at different times.
If less than 30mls of cord blood is collected, there may only be one cassette of stem cells stored.
How long can umbilical cord blood stem cells be stored for?
Currently there is no use by date assigned to umbilical cord blood stem cells. Current published research suggests that, after 15 years of cryopreservation, umbilical cord blood stem cells show no degeneration. Comparatively, bone marrow and other human tissue and cells have been stored for decades and remained viable. There is no reason to believe that the same would not be true for umbilical cord blood.
I have completed the Medical Questionnaire and answered "Yes" to a number of Questions. Does this mean my baby's cord blood cannot be collected and stored?
The medical questionnaire is simply designed for a number of reasons:
- To alert us to potential medical conditions, which may affect the condition or viability of your cord blood sample.
- Some responses may provide important medical information for a doctor to consider, prior to using your baby’s cord blood for transplantation.
- If 'YES' is answered to any of the 'critical' questions (Q12-19 of the Medical Questionnaire), the laboratory may request that you visit your local doctor and have a ‘pre-collection’ blood test. This is to minimise the risk to both couriers and laboratory staff handling contaminated blood.
- HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C positive blood cannot be banked.
Rest assured, a ‘YES’ response to any question on the medical questionnaire does not necessarily mean your baby’s cord blood is not able to be stored. Any issue will be openly discussed with you at the time.
What screening tests are performed on the Maternal Blood Sample?
Samples of maternal blood are required for disease screening. The infectious diseases for which we test are: HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Cytomegalovirus and Syphilis. The blood sample is also tested for the presence of bacterial contamination.
These tests are performed to ensure the safety of all stored stem cells and to ensure viability by being ‘contaminant-free’.
Can my stored stem cells be sold or passed on to another company?
Your stored stem cells are being stored for your private use only. Under no circumstances will your cells be passed on to another individual organisation unless you and your healthcare provider request and consent to this in writing, with observance to regulatory requirements.
I live in a rural part of the country. Can i still have my baby's cord blood collected and stem cells stored?
Living in a rural part of the country does not exclude you from having your cord blood collected and stored. Your cord blood will be transported to the laboratory at Sydney Adventist Hospital. Depending on where you are located, there may be a small additional surcharge for distance. This will be discussed with you at the time of registration.
The ASCH transport container and the temperature stabilising elements have been specifically designed to maintain optimal conditions during transport. A temperature-recording device is included in every transport container, to monitor the temperature within the container during transport.
Transportation from most regional birthing hospitals can be achieved in less than 24 hours.
Is there an additional surcharge if my baby is born on a weekend or public holiday?
Courier companies sometimes charge an extra fee for transport on weekends or public holidays. If your baby is born on either a weekend or public holiday ASCH will absorb the additional surcharge. Customers will not be charged the extra fee.
We hope this has assisted by answering some of the more common questions relating to cord blood collection and stem cell storage. If you have any further queries or questions, please feel free to contact our Healthcare Specialists on: 1800 005 541 Toll Free
Is it true that doctors would never treat my child with his or her own cord blood because it would contain the disease.
Research from the Journal of Clinical Oncology reports that even with early-onset disease (within twelve months of birth), the child's stem cells are still recommended for use in transplantation(1).
In fact, thousands of autologous stem cell transplants have been performed to treat diseases such as leukaemia. Outcomes have been successful, even when the patient was known to have the disease.
Umbilical cord blood stem cells (UCBSCs) have many advantages compared to bone marrow stem cells as a transplant source including no risk of GVHD, immediate availability and extremely high vitality levels.
(1) Source Pediatrics 2007; 119; 296-300
What is the likelihood of ever using banked cord blood?
According to medical research, the current lifetime likelihood of a child someday needing to use his/her own UCBSCs is approximately 1 in 400 (Blood 2005).
Based on available current evidence, umbilical cord blood stem cells have no "expiration date" to suggest they diminish in viability.
If I privately bank my baby's cord blood am I depriving the public registry of a sample?
To date, only a small percentage of births in Australia result in supplying cord blood donations to public banks. Unfortunately in fact, umbilical cord blood and the stem cells it contains is routinely discarded following birth. Public collections operate on specific days and times. Additionally, donation is only available at a limited number of accredited hospitals. Nevertheless, we believe this unique resource should not be discarded. Please consider the options available.
Does cord blood collection deprive my baby of important blood?
When you chose to have your baby's cord blood collected, the only change from standard procedure is that following birth, after the cord is cut and clamped, the remaining cord blood is collected rather than being routinely thrown away.