SAN FRANCISCO, Sep 29, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. researchers say privately
banking cord blood is not cost-effective for most families.
The analysis, published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, determined private banking
costs an additional $1,374,246 per life-year gained.
The researchers conclude paying fees to store the blood collected from the
umbilical cord after the baby's birth was advisable only for families at high
risk of needing stem cell treatment.
"While there are plausible medical advantages of umbilical cord blood stem
cells, many of these benefits are primarily theoretical at this point," study
co-author Dr. Aaron Caughey of the University of California, San Francisco, said
in a statement.
"Expectant parents need to understand the true likelihood of their family
benefiting from private cord blood banking in order to make an informed decision
about this expensive process."
Members of the American Academy of Pediatrics have been encouraging parents to
donate the cord blood to pubic banks that make it available to anyone needing
treatment, or for research purposes.
Storing it as so-called "biological insurance" is not, the members say,
supported by current scientific data. However, the AAP does encourage private
cord blood banking if a full sibling in the family has a medical condition that
potentially could benefit from cord blood transplantation.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International