The process of newborn baby stem cell storage begins at the time of childbirth. Baby stem cells collection is a simple and painless procedure that does not affect the mother or the newborn in any way.
Collection
Umbilical cord blood for baby stem cell storage is collected immediately after the delivery of the baby. The gynecologist collects the umbilical cord blood after clamping the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is cut after the clamping and the baby is removed. The doctor then inserts a needle into the umbilical cord vein and drains out blood and collects it in a blood bag or pouch. Some doctors also prefer delayed clamping. They wait for a couple of minutes after delivery and then clamp the umbilical cord. Cord blood collection doesn’t get hampered due to the clamping.
The entire procedure of umbilical cord blood collection takes less than three minutes and does not interfere with the birthing process. Umbilical cord blood can be collected in case of both vaginal and caesarian delivery.
Transportation and Processing
Within two hours of delivery, the cord blood collection kit is transported to the storage facility. After the collection kit is delivered to the cord blood bank, the process of baby stem cell collection begins immediately to ensure the sustained viability of the stem cells found in the umbilical cord blood.
First, the cord blood sample is tested for microbiological contamination. Simultaneously, the mother’s blood sample is tested for infectious diseases such as hepatitis B. The umbilical cord blood is then processed to decrease the number of red blood cells and isolate the stem cells and immune cells by reducing their total volume. Once the stem cells are extracted from the RBC, they are mixed with cryo-protectants and stored in cryo bags.
Storage
The umbilical cord blood is stored in cryogenic storage tanks that are vacuum-insulated. These storage tanks are specially designed to remain at an optimal cryogenic temperature of below -150°C to -190°C for cell storage over a long period.
Ideally, the reliable cord blood banks use the US FDA-approved cryogenic storage pouch known as cryobag. This storage pouch is made of a unique material designed exclusively to withstand cryogenic temperatures. The cryobag has 2 segments integrally attached.
This multi compartmentalized cryobag has compartments in 80:20 ratios. This twin compartment enables stem cell expansion in the future. The compartments also eliminate cord blood mix-ups during product testing. This allows additional testing before a transplant.
The liquid nitrogen storage system can cryo-preserve the umbilical cord blood stem cells for a long time. A good cord blood bank would select an anti-contamination vapor-phase liquid nitrogen storage system. Vapor-phase storage is preferred over liquid-phase storage. Vapour-phase storage eliminates the chances of cross-contamination between units of cord blood. Over 99% of private cord blood banks use only vapor-phase freezers for stem cell preservation. The MVE Anti-contamination Vapor-phase Liquid Nitrogen Storage System can operate in the absence of an electrical supply. It is 100% reliable and has almost no chance of robotic malfunction.
Baby stem cell storage is a safe and reliable process. It is painless and harmless for both the mother and child. The benefits of cord blood banking are that through this simple process you can provide your child treatment for 80+ diseases in future.
