When a baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut within minutes. Once that happens, the cord and placenta are discarded as medical waste. However, many parents do not realise that the blood left behind in the umbilical cord is extremely valuable. This is the cord blood, which is rich in special cells called the stem cells.
These cells have the ability to develop into different types of blood and immune cells. Because of this unique property, cord blood has been used in medical treatments for decades. In recent years, awareness around cord blood banking has grown rapidly in India, leading many expectant parents to ask two important questions: What exactly is cord blood? And how many cord blood banks exist in India today? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What is Cord Blood?
Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord after childbirth. This blood contains hematopoietic stem cells. These cells can help rebuild the blood and immune system. Recent research has also shown that stem cells from the umbilical cord may be able to develop into other types of cells, like bone, nerve, and blood vessel cells, not just blood cells.
Cord blood stem cells are easy to collect at birth. After the baby is delivered and the cord is clamped and cut, trained medical staff collect the remaining blood from the cord. This is then processed and stored in a stem cell bank. This does not interfere with delivery or affect the mother or baby in any way.
What is Cord Blood Used For?
Cord blood stem cells are primarily used to treat 80+ serious illnesses, including blood and immune system disorders. Some of them include:
- Leukaemia and lymphoma
- Thalassemia
- Sickle cell anaemia
- Aplastic anaemia
- Certain inherited metabolic disorders
- Immune deficiency disorders
In these treatments, umbilical cord stem cells are transplanted to regenerate new stem cells in the bone marrow. You may also hear claims about cord blood being used for conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, or diabetes. It’s important to understand that many of these uses are still under research. While clinical trials are ongoing, they are not yet considered standard treatments.
Types of Cord Blood Banking
In India, cord blood can be stored through three main models of banking: public banking, private banking, and community stem cell banking. Here is what you should know about them:
Public Cord Blood Banking
Public cord blood banking allows parents to donate their baby’s cord blood for public use. The donated sample is stored in a public bank and listed on national or international registries. It can be accessed by any patient who is a suitable match. Public donation plays a crucial role in helping patients who do not have a matching donor within their family.
Private Cord Blood Banking
Private cord blood banking involves storing a baby’s cord blood exclusively for that child or their immediate family. Parents pay for the collection, processing, and long-term storage of the sample.
This option is often chosen by families who want to preserve stem cells as a precautionary measure, especially if there is a known history of blood or immune disorders in the family. While the likelihood of needing privately stored cord blood is statistically low for families without a medical indication, some parents value the reassurance of having a readily available, perfectly matched source of stem cells.
Community Cord Blood Banking
Community stem cell banking is a hybrid model that combines elements of both public and private banking. In this model, parents store their child’s cord blood while also allowing it to be used by others in the community if needed.
The family retains access to the sample, but the stem cells also contribute to a shared pool that can help patients who require urgent transplants. This model helps expand access to stem cells while still offering families a level of security. Community banking is a more inclusive and socially responsible approach, particularly in a country with diverse genetic profiles and limited public banking infrastructure.
How Many Cord Blood Banks Are There in India?
According to the Government of India, the country has 22 approved and operating umbilical cord blood banks. Earlier government data from 2015 listed approximately 14 approved banks, showing gradual growth in the sector.
Most cord blood banks in India operate under a private banking model, with only a small number of community-based programs, such as LifeCell. Because licensing status can change over time, parents are always advised to verify whether a bank is currently approved and compliant with regulatory standards.
Final Thoughts
Cord blood is a valuable biological resource that has already helped save lives and continues to show promise for future therapies aimed at treating serious medical conditions. In India, cord blood banking has evolved steadily. However, one of the biggest challenges remains limited access to matched stem cells when patients need them urgently. This is where community stem cell banking plays a meaningful role, and LifeCell is the first stem cell bank to introduce this model in India.
By choosing LifeCell’s community banking option, parents can store their baby’s cord blood for their family while also allowing it to support someone in need, if a suitable match arises. It is a choice that goes beyond personal security. Families retain access to their child’s stem cells, while also contributing to a larger, shared pool that can potentially save lives. To learn more, visit www.lifecell.in.
