Cord Blood Testing and Banking
Reviewed
Also called: Umbilical cord blood testing, Cord blood banking
Cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord after a baby is born.
Specimen: cord blood
Why this test may be ordered
- To measure blood gases and oxygen and acid-base (pH) balance
- To measure bilirubin levels
- To check for infection with a blood culture or complete blood count
- To check whether a baby was exposed to certain drugs during pregnancy
Preparation and collection
For cord blood testing, you don't need to prepare anything. For cord blood banking, you need to plan in advance. If you're considering donating cord blood or privately banking it, talk with your provider at least three months before your baby is due.
After your baby is born, the umbilical cord will be pinched closed with a clamp and cut. Then the provider will either use a needle to remove blood from the cord or let the blood drip out of the cord. The blood is collected in a special bag and sent to a lab for testing or to a cord blood bank for long-term storage.
Cord blood testing has no risks. With cord blood banking, the mother will need to have a blood test to check for infections to help make sure the cord blood is safe to use. There is very little risk to having a blood test. Some cord blood banks may require testing of the mother's blood for genetic disorders, too. If you find out you have a gene that could cause a serious disease, you or your family members may feel upset. If you choose family cord blood banking, the costs can be very high.
Understanding results
Cord blood test results will depend on what was measured.
- High bilirubin level: High bilirubin levels can cause jaundice, a condition that causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow. Limitation: Jaundice is common in healthy newborns, and it usually clears up in a few weeks. But it can sometimes be a sign of liver disease, a blood disorder, or another type of condition. Next step: If the results were not normal, ask your baby's provider to explain what they mean for your baby's health.
- Harmful drugs found in cord blood: Umbilical cord blood testing can find many drugs, including sedatives, cocaine, and opioids such as heroin and fentanyl. Limitation: Cord blood test results will depend on what was measured. Next step: If harmful drugs are found in cord blood, a provider can treat the baby to help reduce the chance of problems, such as developmental delays.
- Results depend on which test was done on the cord blood.
- Sometimes the cord doesn't contain enough blood to use for banking.
- Most cord blood saved in case of a future illness is never used.
What to do next
If the results were not normal, ask your baby's provider to explain what they mean for your baby's health.
- Which tests will be done on my baby's cord blood?
- Should we donate cord blood to a public bank or use a family bank?
- What do my baby's cord blood results mean?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Cord Blood Testing and Banking