Stem Cell Preservation at Birth: What Every Expectant Parent Should Know
DEVA Cryobank Knowledge Base
Author: Iryna Lytvynenko, Director of DEVA Cryobank
During pregnancy, expectant parents make dozens of important decisions. They choose their obstetrician and maternity hospital, prepare the baby’s room, and purchase their child’s first essentials. At the same time, there is one decision that many families only learn about late in pregnancy—or even shortly before delivery.
This is the opportunity to preserve stem cells that can be collected at the time of childbirth.
Why does this decision need to be made during pregnancy?
After the baby is born and the umbilical cord has been clamped, the umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord tissue, and placenta have fulfilled their natural biological function. This is the only moment when the cells contained within these tissues can be collected.
If the decision to preserve these cells has not been made before childbirth, this opportunity is permanently lost.
That is why, in many countries, information about newborn stem cell preservation is introduced to expectant parents during pregnancy planning or early prenatal care. This allows families to explore the topic without time pressure, discuss it with their physician, and make an informed decision.
How common is newborn stem cell preservation worldwide?
According to the long-standing experience of the Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation, the prevalence of cord blood preservation varies considerably from country to country.
Researchers attribute these differences not only to variations in healthcare systems but also to the level of awareness among expectant parents and the degree of collaboration between maternity hospitals and cord blood banks.
These figures do not imply that there is one universally correct decision for every family. Rather, they demonstrate that in many countries, stem cell preservation has become an established part of prenatal counselling.
Which stem cells can be collected and preserved at the time of childbirth?
Several types of stem cells can be collected immediately after birth.
Umbilical cord blood is a source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are currently used in clinical practice for approved medical indications.
Umbilical cord tissue and the placenta are sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), whose biological properties continue to attract significant interest in modern medicine.
For this reason, modern cryopreservation programs may include not only hematopoietic stem cells from cord blood but also mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue and the placenta.
Why are mesenchymal stem cells attracting growing scientific interest?
Stem cells collected at birth are being actively studied around the world.
According to the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA), more than 740,000 cord blood units are currently stored in public and private cord blood banks worldwide. In addition, ClinicalTrials.gov lists hundreds of registered clinical studies investigating stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord tissue, and the placenta.
At the same time, it is important to distinguish between technologies that are already part of established clinical practice and those that remain under scientific investigation.
Preserving stem cells does not mean that they will necessarily be used in the future. Any decision regarding their clinical use depends on the specific medical condition, established medical indications, and current clinical guidelines.
How are perinatal tissues collected?
After the baby is born and the umbilical cord has been clamped according to the standard obstetric protocol, a healthcare professional collects the perinatal tissues, including umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord tissue, and the placenta. The procedure is performed only after delivery and does not require any additional intervention involving either the newborn or the mother.
Following collection, the samples are labelled, placed into sterile containers, and transported to the DEVA Cryobank laboratory.
Once received, the samples undergo a series of laboratory procedures, including processing for the isolation of hematopoietic stem cells from cord blood, isolation and culture of mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue and the placenta, followed by cryopreservation.
Key Takeaways
Preserving stem cells that can be collected at the time of childbirth is one of the opportunities offered by modern medicine.
For some families, it becomes a well-considered choice; others may decide not to pursue it. Both decisions are equally valid when they are based on reliable information and a clear understanding of the available options.
That is why I encourage expectant parents to learn about this topic during pregnancy. When there is sufficient time to ask questions, discuss them with healthcare professionals, and consider the available information, it becomes much easier to make the decision that is right for your family.
Iryna Lytvynenko
In the next article of the DEVA Cryobank Knowledge Base, we will guide you through every stage of your family’s journey with DEVA Cryobank after deciding to preserve stem cells that can be collected at the time of childbirth. From the initial consultation and selecting the most suitable preservation program to receiving your Cell Passport, we will explain what happens at each stage and why every step is essential for safe and reliable cryopreservation.
