Cord Blood Stem Cell Storage

Cord blood collected at birth is among the richest natural sources of haematopoietic stem cells — the cells that generate all blood and immune cell lines. The collection window is unique and non-repeatable: once the umbilical cord is cut and the placenta delivered, this source is gone permanently. MCP offers comprehensive cord blood stem cell banking, from delivery-room collection coordination to in-house processing and long-term cryopreservation.

Umbilical cord blood contains haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) at concentrations far higher than adult peripheral blood. These cells are immunologically naive — they have accumulated minimal mutations and have not yet been exposed to environmental stressors — making them the ideal quality for long-term banking. MCP's cord blood programme covers the complete chain from collection to storage: **Collection:** The cord blood is collected immediately after birth from the placenta and umbilical cord using a sterile collection kit. Collection is non-invasive and does not affect the birth process, the mother, or the newborn. MCP's team coordinates with the obstetric unit in advance to ensure proper collection technique and immediate sample handling. **Processing:** The collected sample is transported to MCP's own laboratory (or its partner reference laboratory) for processing. Red blood cell depletion is performed to concentrate the mononuclear cell fraction containing HSCs, T cells, and NK cells. The sample is viability-tested and CD34+ cell count is documented before cryopreservation. **Storage:** Cells are cryopreserved using controlled-rate freezing and stored in MCP's long-term liquid nitrogen tanks at -196°C. Annual storage is maintained for the duration of the family's chosen storage plan, with quality control documentation at each renewal. **Clinical applications:** Cord blood HSCs have been used clinically for: - Treatment of haematological malignancies (leukaemia, lymphoma) — particularly in paediatric oncology - Sickle cell disease and thalassaemia (haemoglobin disorders) - Primary immunodeficiencies requiring haematopoietic reconstitution - Post-chemotherapy or post-radiotherapy immune reconstruction in the child or, in matched cases, a sibling - Emerging research: cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, type 1 diabetes (clinical trials ongoing) MCP's clinical advisory (from MUDr. Klubal's team) holds that the immunological naivety and proliferative capacity of cord blood HSCs makes them a more potent source than adult peripheral blood HSCs for many applications — arguing for collection even if the family already has peripheral blood cells banked for the parents.