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Cord Blood Testing and Banking
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lab Tests

Cord Blood Testing and Banking

Cord blood, collected after birth, can be tested to assess a newborn's health or banked to provide stem cells for treating various blood disorders and cancers.

What are cord blood testing and cord blood banking?

Cord blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord after a baby is born. It can be used in two ways:

  • Cord blood testing: Performed to check the baby's health or investigate concerns like infections or acid-base (pH) imbalances.
  • Cord blood banking: Saving the blood in a facility because it is rich in stem cells, which can develop into various cell types and treat blood disorders like leukemia, Hodgkin disease, and certain immune system disorders.

Options for banking include donating to a public cord blood bank (available for anyone in need, no cost) or saving it in a family (private) cord blood bank (for potential family use, usually involves fees).

What is cord blood testing used for?

Tests may be performed to:

  • Measure blood gases (oxygen and pH balance).
  • Measure bilirubin levels to check for jaundice or liver/blood conditions.
  • Perform a blood culture or complete blood count (CBC) to check for infection.
  • Check blood glucose levels.
  • Screen for exposure to illegal or prescription drugs misused during pregnancy.

What is cord blood banking used for?

Banking is used to save stem cells for future medical needs. While public donation helps others, family banking is generally recommended only if there is a family history of a genetic disorder or cancer treatable with stem cells. Providers generally do not recommend private banking for families without such history, as the conditions treated are rare and a child cannot use their own stem cells to treat their own genetic disorders or cancers.

How is cord blood collected?

After the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, a provider uses a needle or allows the blood to drip into a collection bag. This process does not change the birth experience. Note that some cords may not contain enough blood for banking.

Preparation and Risks

No preparation is needed for testing. For banking, you should discuss your plans with your provider at least three months before your due date to handle paperwork, choose a bank, and obtain a collection kit. Risks are minimal, though mothers may need a blood test to ensure the cord blood is safe, and private banking can be expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cord blood must be collected within the first few minutes after the baby is born, before the placenta is delivered. Most banks and hospitals have a 30‑minute window to clamp, cut, and transfer the blood into the collection kit; after that the volume and cell viability decline rapidly.
Matching relies on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing. A child’s own unit is a perfect HLA match for themselves, but most diseases treated with autologous (self) stem cells are not currently approved, so the unit is often used for a sibling or other relative. The chance of a 6/6 HLA match with a sibling is about 25 % if they share both parents; the likelihood of a match with a more distant relative drops sharply.
Private banking usually costs an initial processing and enrollment fee of $1,500‑$2,500, plus an annual storage fee of $100‑$200. Some insurers may reimburse a portion if there is a documented family history of a stem‑cell‑treatable disorder, but routine coverage is rare. Families often use payment plans or employer‑sponsored programs to offset the expense.
Yes, cord blood can be collected from preterm deliveries, but the total volume is often lower, which may reduce the number of stem cells harvested. Many banks set a minimum volume (usually 40‑60 mL) for a viable unit; if the sample falls below that, it may still be eligible for public donation but not for private storage.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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