cord-blood-testing-and-banking

Why this test may be ordered

• To measure blood gases and acid-base (pH) balance
• To measure bilirubin levels and check for jaundice or liver disease
• To do a blood culture if an infection is suspected
• To do a complete blood count (CBC) to check for infection
• To check blood glucose levels, especially if the mother has diabetes

Preparation and collection

For cord blood testing, no preparation is needed. For cord blood banking, plan at least three months before the due date: decide between public donation or private banking, check hospital collection options, complete medical history paperwork, and obtain a collection kit if using a family bank.

After the baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, the provider uses a needle to remove blood from the cord or lets the blood drip out into a special bag. The blood is sent to a lab for testing or to a cord blood bank for storage.

Cord blood testing has no known risks. For cord blood banking, the mother will have a blood test to check for infections; this carries slight pain or bruising at the needle site. Some banks may also test for genetic disorders, which could cause emotional distress if a serious gene is found. Private banking can be very costly.

Understanding results

Cord blood test results depend on what was measured. Ask your baby's provider to explain what the results mean for your baby's health.

• Normal: The measured values (such as blood gases, bilirubin, blood count, or glucose) are within the expected range for a healthy newborn. Limitation: A normal result does not rule out all possible health conditions. Interpretation should be done by your baby's healthcare provider. Next step: No immediate follow-up is needed based on this result alone. Continue routine newborn care.
• Abnormal: One or more measured values are outside the expected range. For example, high bilirubin may indicate jaundice or liver disease; abnormal blood gases may suggest an acid-base imbalance; a positive blood culture may indicate infection; high or low blood glucose may require attention; or detection of certain drugs may indicate prenatal exposure. Limitation: An abnormal result does not by itself diagnose a specific condition. Further testing and clinical evaluation are needed. False positives or false negatives are possible depending on the test. Next step: Your baby's provider will explain the specific findings and recommend any necessary follow-up tests or treatments.

• Cord blood testing results must be interpreted by a healthcare professional; reference intervals and units are not provided in the source.
• For cord blood banking, the conditions currently treated with stem cells from cord blood are not common, so most privately banked cord blood is never used.
• If a child later needs stem cell treatment for a genetic disorder or cancer, their own cord blood stem cells may not be usable because they carry the same genes or pre-cancerous cells.

What to do next

For cord blood testing, discuss any abnormal results with your baby's provider. For cord blood banking, talk with your provider about your options at least three months before your due date.

• What specific tests will be done on my baby's cord blood?
• What are the benefits and costs of public donation versus private banking?
• How will I receive the results and what follow-up is recommended?

Evidence source

U.S. National Library of Medicine: cord-blood-testing-and-banking