Cord blood banking

A news feature and editorial in the June 23 issue argue for a national program for cord blood banking in Canada. The executive director of OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network is quoted as saying: “This is something that is otherwise medical waste that can truly save lives.” One should be aware that the collection process entails early clamping of the umbilical cord, in order to recover an adequate volume of blood, a practice that may not be in the best interests of the newborn donor. Delaying for a sufficient time to allow the physiologic placental transfusion has been shown to reduce the incidence of anemia in full-term infants and to improve their iron status in infancy. While not denying the potential benefits of cord blood banking, the product in the bank should not be regarded as “medical waste” and, in consenting to its collection, parents should be fully informed of the costs.