What are the chances my child will need their cord blood?

The probability that the average child will require a transplant of her own Stem Cells before age 20 has been estimated as 4 in 10,000 (.04%). Reference: Dr. F. Leonard Johnson, Oct1998; & Marrow Transplant Newsletter, issue #43, Oct. 98, vol.9 no.3; originally published: FL Johnson, 1997; J Ped Hem Onc 19(3): 183-186 However, over the course of a lifetime up to age 70, the probability that a person will require a transplant of her own Stem Cells is 1 in 450 (0.23%), and the liklihood of requiring any transplant, from yourself or a sibling, is 1 in 220 (0.46%). Reference: Pasquini, MC, Logan, BR, Verter, F, Horowitz, MM, & Nietfeld, JJ 2005 ASH meeting poster#5260 (download 94 KB) or Abstract published in (2005) 106:1330 Several medical and ethical societies have issued opinions against private cord banking for the family of the donor; these can be read in the section of this website on Opinions of Medical Societies. However, all of these negative opinions are based purely on pediatric transplant usage, and ignore the possible use of Stem Cells from Cord Blood for adult transplants or regenerative Stem Cell medicine. The arguments in favor of family banking are briefly summarized:

• One is that, as today’s children grow up and some of them develop cancer as adults, more of them will need transplants of their own Stem Cells. The reason is that pediatric cancers and adult cancers are completely different diseases at the cellular level (to learn more about cancer look up the National Cancer Institute), and among adults the majority of transplants use cells from the patient.
• Secondly, recent news reports constantly announce new medical advances using stem cells. Currently there are clinical trials using the patient’s own Cord Blood to treat children for Juvenile Diabetes and Cerebral Palsy. Future applications will probably include tissue repair to various organs of the body.
• Another FACTor families should consider is whether the odds given for the “average baby” apply to you. Some families do have a higher predisposition to cancer and immune disorders.
• Finally, if your family, especially your children, are of mixed ethnic background, it may be impossible to find an adult donor who is a perfect match. In that event, Cord Blood from even a partially matched sibling would be invaluable.