A member asked:
should i bank my baby's cord blood?
9 doctor answers • 21 doctors weighed in
Dr. Anatoly Belilovskyanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Yes: That's actually a great idea. Stem cells from cord blood can be used to treat a number of conditions in both the child and other family members, and the number of such uses is growing exponentially.
6.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Thompson commented
Hematology and Oncology 20 years experience
I would suggest public banking. 1) cheaper (free), 2) provides utility for a broader group of people than just your child or family.
Jul 24, 2013
Dr. Herbert Duvivier commented
Hematology and Oncology 33 years experience
I agree with both the above comments. Given the increasing use of stem cells I don't believe you can go wrong.
Sep 9, 2013
Dr. Maulik Shah commented
Clinical Genetics 24 years experience
Not necessarily. Cord blood banking is quite expensive and the number of disorders for which the cord blood may be used later is quite small. If you have the financial means then it is a good idea . However, cord blood allografts (from unrelated donors) are becoming more common with good results so always donate but don't fall prey to scare tactics in banking cord blood.
Sep 14, 2013
Dr. Roy Benarochanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
No: You should donate your baby's blood to help everyone, not waste your money by banking it only for yourself. Details: http://pediatricinsider.Wordpress.Com/2009/02/01/cord-blood-donate-it-don%e2%80%99t-bank-it/.
6.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Patricia Vuguinanswered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Yes: Tricky question, consult with your b ask about costs for maintenance and public free options you need to assess the chances that you will use that in the future.
6.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
No: There is no requirement that a parent should bank a baby's cord blood. Parents may choose to bank cord blood if they want to buy the "extra insurance", in that they will have cord blood available in the unlikely event that their baby needs a bone marrow transplant or their baby needs to use his own stem cells for some other reason.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Russell Faustanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 29 years experience
Yes: There are several companies that will bank your baby's cord blood. The reasons are largely theoretical: there are stem cells in cord blood that - theoretically - can potentially be used treat diseases that your baby (or even you or other family members) may develop some day. There is an annual fee to store (frozen) the cord blood.
6.6k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Talk to L&D at hosp.: Prospective parents who are wanting to bank their baby's cord blood have to do some planning. They have to select a cord blood bank ahead of time, so that company can send materials to the parents. Then the parents have to bring the materials to the hospital, and be sure that the obstetrician plus the labor & delivery staff all know that cord blood is to be collected.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Paul Tranianswered
Specializes in Pediatrics
Your OB: Talk to your OB prior to your child's birth to make plans to bank your baby's cord blood - they are usually the medical providers who have direct access to these specimens in the peri-partum period (around the time of birth).
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Cory Annisanswered
Internal Medicine and Pediatrics 29 years experience
Talk to nursery: Banking cord blood should be arranged before or at your admission to your birthing center. Asking for information from your ob, pediatrician, or birthing center.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Jonathan Jasseyanswered
Pediatrics 17 years experience
Cord blood : You need to find out from either your OB or pediatrician about the companies that you can bank with.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
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