Welcoming a little one into your life comes with a truckload of important decisions. From deciding on the hospital, selecting a paediatrician, or finalising a birthing plan, there are several crucial decisions to be made before the baby is born. One such decision that most parents are leaning towards taking in the 21st century is cord blood banking. Today, in India, the idea of cord blood banking has started to attract widespread interest from expectant parents. And given the potential of cord blood stem cells to help families 80+ treat life- threatening illnesses, many families are sure to find value in preserving their newborn’s umbilical cord blood cells. But the most pressing confusion is whether a stem cell bank is good enough and viable for families in India?
With multiple providers available, how do you distinguish between them when choosing a cord blood bank for your baby?
Here are the top 5 things that every parent should consider before choosing a cord blood bank in India.
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Accreditation & Certifications Matter
Not all cord blood banks follow the same standards. These standards are critical for stem cell banks to assure safety, viability and potency of the stored sample. These act as a guarantee that the banks follow internationally recognised standards for collecting, processing, testing and storing cells. When you are looking for a stem cell bank to safeguard your child’s precious stem cells, look for the ones that are recognised by authorities such as:
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AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies)
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WHO- GMP (World Health Organisation Good Manufacturing Practices)
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NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories)
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US FDA Registration (United States Food and Drug Administration Registration)
These certifications give the assurance that the banks stick to strict quality and safety protocols.
2. Processing & Storage Technology
The way stem cells are processed and stored makes a big difference in their viability and potential. If a cord blood bank uses proper processing techniques that prevent contaminants and any chances of mishaps, they ensure the sterility and value of stem cells.
Key things you can check with respect to processing and storage when choosing a cord blood bank include:
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Method of processing, whether it is automated or manual
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Storage in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen using advanced Cryopreservation techniques
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Using advanced processing technology like the Pentastarch method, a pentastarch agent is used to separate the stem cells from other blood components and then stored at -196 degree celcius. This method is widely considered to maximise the recovery of viable stem cells while reducing RBC contamination by up to 99%.
Utilising better technology means higher chances of stem cell preservation for long-term use.
3. Clinical Experience & Track Record
A cord blood bank’s real-world review is an important deciding factor in whether they can be trusted or not. You can look for the following while choosing a cord blood bank:
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Number of samples stored
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Number of stem cells retrievals
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Evidence of effective clinical use of released samples in treatments
A proven track record showcases the trust and reliability of the stem cell bank.
4. Community Registry and Matching Probability
One of the biggest advantages of stem cell banking today is the community stem cell registry. To put it in simpler terms, community stem cell banking is a shared model where your baby’s cord blood cells are a part of a larger pool of stem cell that also give your family access to many more stem cell units, apart from your own. A community stem cell banking registry increases your chances of finding a compatible match.
Reputable community stem cell banks provide wide access to stored units, which increases the chances of finding a match.
A larger registry usually means:
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Higher match probability
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Broader access to treatments
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Increased clinical utility
5. Flexible Storage Plans
An availability to a wide variety of storage plans based on duration gives expectant parents access to flexible storage that fits their budget. Reputed stem cell banks provide a mix of short-term and long-term plans that cover evolving medical requirements as your child grows. Since every family’s financial situation varies, one can choose from a 1-year, 21-year, 75-year, or a lifetime plan.
Takeaway
Choosing a cord blood bank might sound like a complex task, but the process is actually quite seamless when you take the top 5 factors, as mentioned, into account. As you evaluate different cord blood banks in India, understanding the way they work can also make your decision clearer.
If you’re looking for a reliable and trusted stem cell bank, consider LifeCell International. It offers a customer-friendly, science-backed approach designed specifically for expectant parents. Unlike private banks, LifeCell’s community banking model provides exclusive access to a large pool of stem cells that can be utilised not just for the baby but also for the extended family. They have an extensive inventory of over 85000+ qualified cord blood units that can help you find a matching stem cell unit whenever needed.
For families, stem cell banking acts as the best future-ready protection secured at birth that can protect their baby & family from over 80+ diseases for their life, including several blood illnesses, cancers and metabolic disorders.
