Comparing Cord Blood Banks

Though scientists say they have not fully discovered or harnessed the potentials of cord blood, there have been several efforts directed at storing and processing cord blood. And this is mainly due to the cord blood’s immense health benefits and potential that has today birthed cord blood banks. And this article is all about providing the public with reliable information on such practice while comparing cord blood banks in countries on different continents.

However, before discussing the intricacies of cord blood banking, it is essential to understand what cord blood is and how it saves lives.

What is Cord Blood?

The cord blood is a tissue found inside the placenta. It is applied to treat blood-related diseases such as cancers, anemia, and disorders relating to the immune system.

The crucial but straightforward function of saving lives makes umbilical cord blood storage and stem cell storage a delicate venture. And this is one more cause for appropriate information on cord blood banks to weigh their options adequately.

Comparing Cord Blood Banks: Public versus Private Cord Blood Banks

Cord blood banks can either be public or private. The public cord blood banks are usually free because they are owned by the government more often.

However, what public banking entails is that you are donating the cord blood, as a result of which you will lose all rights to the child’s cord blood in the future.

Cord blood can be drawn from the public cord blood bank in the future to save the life of any matching patient who might need it.

So you are dedicating the cord blood for the public good.

On the other hand, there are private banks where you pay to preserve the child’s cord blood for the baby’s personal use or a close relative for as long as possible. All the rights regarding the cord blood stay with you.

The financial responsibilities required to store with a cord blood bank range from the initial collection charges to annual costs. And these can be pretty significant. Quite often you get what you pay for, so it is recommended you only go with the best.

Despite the cost, storage in private blood banking is getting ever popular as it offers a lot more benefits, specifically for your child in the future.

So, we compare some selected top cord blood banks based on the specific attributes to look out for when choosing a bank for your cord blood storage purposes.

Such features include cord blood processing methods, cord blood stem cells, tissue storage services; cord blood banking price; other services; accreditation; locations served, and additional important information.

The cord blood banks covered in this article are some of the top blood banks worldwide, including the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia. They include the Cord Blood Registry (CBR), Americord® Registry, Cryo-Cell International Inc, StemCyte Inc, and ViaCord LLC.

Cord Blood Processing Banking Comparison

The purpose of processing the cell in the cord blood is to get as many of those beneficial and life-saving stem cells as possible without causing any damage. This is important and has to be correctly done. But, unfortunately, you do not get the stem cells in the cord blood, even after paying some significant sums.

Generally, there are two methods cord banks employ: automated and manual.

Manual Processing

Manual processing is the more common processing method. It involves using a processing agent to separate the red blood from the plasma and white cells all by hand. This method is much cheaper, although more tedious and prone to errors.

Automated Processing

On the other hand, there is the automated system where complex machines are used. And some common ones include the AutoXpress (AXP)® and Sepax®. Unfortunately, although they are a lot more accurate, they are much more expensive.

For both methods, most individual blood banks have developed their improved proprietary versions. So in some cases, you have the manual process of a particular cord blood bank being more efficient than the proprietary automated method of another.

Table: Comparing Cord Blood Banks’ Method of Processing

Method	CBR	Americord	Cryo-Cell	StemCyte	ViaCord
Manual	×	✓	✓	✓	✓
Automated	✓	×	×	×	×

Cord Blood Stem Cell Collection and Tissue Storage Banking Comparison

Top cord banks do not stop at providing storage for the cord blood. They also provide storage and processing for related organs, including stem cell collection at birth. For instance, cord blood contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which possess colossal health potential, including the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Beyond mere storage, some cell banks go on to process the MSCs. However, this is not a common practice as processing leads to higher cell count and quality.

Asides from the storage of cord tissue, other services to look out for are the storage of placenta stem cells and tissues and immune cells. Although these seem to be emerging services, their benefits are ample, and you get a lot of discounts on each service if a cord bank offers combined packages.

Table: Comparison of Services Cord Banks Offer

Service	CBR	Americord	Cryo-Cell	StemCyte	ViaCord
MSCs Storage	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
MSCs Processing	×	×	×	×	✓
Placenta Stem Cell Banking	×	✓	×	×	×
Adult Immune Cell Banking	×	×	×	×	×

Cord Blood Banking Cost Comparison

None of these services comes free. So you should pay attention to the array of prices and fees charged by various cord blood banks.

There are usually the initial processing costs paid for processing and storage. Some banks may, however, charge ongoing storage costs, usually annually. Then, there might be other charges, including shipping fees.

So, we have outlined the various payment plans charged by the selected top cord blood banks below:

Table: Cord Blood Cost Comparison

Price Category	CBR	Americord	Cryo-Cell	StemCyte	ViaCord
Initial Costs	$1,685	$1,499	$1,500	$1,395	$1,750
Annual Fees	$125	$150	$175	$150	$175
Total Cost over 20 years	$4,185	$4,499	$5,000	$4,395	$5,250
Other Charges (e.g., shipping)	Included in the annual fees	Included in the annual fees	Included in the annual fees	Included in the annual fees	Included in the annual fees

Important Note: Most of these services have different tiers of services, with some having “Standard” (Basic) and “Premium” packages. The prices included here are mainly for the basic packages.

Cord Blood Banking Accreditation

Due to the sensitive nature of the work they do, they must be held to high standards. Accordingly, there is an array of private and government agencies that oversee services, which include the Federal Drug Agency (FDA), the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) protocol.

Table: Comparison of Standards Met By Cord Banks

	CBR	Americord	Cryo-Cell	StemCyte	ViaCord
Accrediting Agency	FDA, AABB,	AABB, FDA, BBB and CLIA.	FDA, AABB, FACT NetCord	AABB, FACT NetCord	FDA, AABB, CLIA

Comparing Cord Blood Banks With Other Services

Several other incentives may help you with the decision as to whether you go with a particular cord bank or not. One of these incentives is the Quality Service Guarantee. The companies undertake to pay you specific amounts towards getting another source of stem cells if the cord blood stem cells fail to engraft during medical treatment.

You can loosely term this undertaking as medical insurance in the cord blood banking industry in rendering such delicate services. Such companies should also fund clinical trials and research into discovering even better uses for the umbilical cord and related tissues and cells.

Table: Quality Service Guarantee (Insurance)

Service	CBR	Americord	Cryo-Cell	StemCyte	ViaCord
Quality Service Guarantee	$50,000	$110,000	$100,000	StemCyte will find a replacement	$25,000

Comparing Cord Blood Banks- Areas They Offer Their Services

Most of the largest cord banks are based in the USA, and understandably so. However, they are also international in outlook. You can find information as to those who serve international clients below:

Table: Countries Where These Companies Offer Their Cord Blood Services

	CBR	Americord	Cryo-Cell	StemCyte	ViaCord
Areas Served	The US and worldwide	The USA and internationally, although the focus has been on Europe	The US and 87 other countries	The USA and 38 countries spread across the 6 continents	The USA and the European Union

 

Final Note

Several considerations go into selecting a cord blood bank. So, you have to carefully compare them to ensure that you are making the best choice. The above guide is directed at giving you appropriate information to weigh your options when making your selection.

 

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