Title

Obstetricians and their role in cord blood banking: promoting a public model

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Publication Date

2013-04-01

Document Type

Article

Subjects

*Blood Banks; *Fetal Blood; Humans; Models, Theoretical; *Obstetrics; *Physician's Role; Public Sector

Disciplines

Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Maternal and Child Health | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Women's Health

Abstract

Umbilical cord blood, the blood remaining in the umbilical cord at birth, can be collected at birth and be a source of stem cells for a patient in need of a bone marrow transplant. Obstetricians and other health care practitioners are recognized as a patient's primary source for medical information affecting the mother and her neonate and frequently are asked to provide education and guidance regarding options of private and public cord blood banking. As the use of cord blood continues to grow in medicine and research uncovers more potential for cord blood, cord blood banking has become an important resource. The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act has provided funding to expand public banking initiatives in the United States and to create a more ethnically diverse inventory of units. Private storage is not advocated unless there is an identified need in the family such that banked cord blood would offer a benefit. A recent report outlined the challenges of increasing participation and inventory, particularly among minority groups. Obstetricians and other health care practitioners should have a primary role in efforts to increase awareness of umbilical cord blood donation and be involved in initiatives to expand current public banking activities.

DOI of Published Version

10.1097/AOG.0b013e31828882aa

Source

Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Apr;121(4):851-5. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31828882aa. Link to article on publisher's site

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Obstetrics and gynecology

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

PubMed ID

23635686

Link to Full Text

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