Cord Blood Banks: Types and accreditations: A review

Abstract

Background: Cord blood banking has evolved in types, characteristics and international acceptability since the world’s first cord blood  banks was established in 1991. The trend of the developments exists in different literature spread all over of the world.

Aim: A review of the types and characteristics of umbilical cord banks (UCB) was done to chronicle the developments from the  establishment of the first UCB to present. The introduction of accreditations for international acceptance was also reviewed to highlight  the importance of the accreditations and the globally accepted accreditation bodies. This review brings together information from the various sources into an easily accessible document.

Methodology: The sole instrument for this work was the critical review of all available academic, professional and industry documents on  cord blood banking. The relevant information was obtained from textbooks, academic journals, conference proceedings, the internet  among others.

Results: The review revealed that today, there are more than 500 active cord blood banking facilities made up of 352  private cord blood banks and 174 public cord blood banks spread out across more than 100 different countries. There are two major  types of UCBs: private and public UCBs. Private cord blood banks are usually for-profit enterprises that offer UCB storage exclusively for  the child or family members. A significant advantage of a private cord blood bank is the exclusive accessibility and the immediate  availability of the cord blood, should the need arise. Public cord blood banks store unrelated cord blood units that are philanthropically  donated for allogeneic transplantation or research purposes. Public UCBs are funded by philanthropic grants and donations, the sale of  the cord blood units and supported by the government or foundations. Nearly 90% of public cord blood banks by 2014 have declared that  they are struggling to maintain their financial sustainability and avoid bankruptcy. A newer type of CB bank is the hybrid model, which offers a combination of public and private CB storage. Different models of hybrid banking exist around the world. Direct-donation  umbilical cord blood banks function as an amalgamation of public and private banks. This type of banking is solely for sibling donor  collection for those families who are likely to consider CB transplantation because a pedigree relative has been diagnosed with a disease  that is treatable with allogeneic CB transplantation. Internationally accepted and recognized accreditations are important for a cord  blood bank. Accreditations certify that the blood bank has been appraised by authorized bodies for competency, credibility, operational  efficiency, and quality management of processing and cryopreservation protocols to ensure the safety of the umbilical cord blood stem  cells that are being preserved. The standards for CB banking must be international, since CB products frequently cross international  borders. NetCord-FACT International Standards for cord blood collection, processing, testing, banking, selection and release are set to  promote quality practices and to consistently assure the provision of quality cord blood units for transplantation. Today AABB is the world  leading UCB accrediting body. While optional, AABB accreditation is considered one of the most important global credentials that a  cord blood bank can hold.

Conclusion: The number of umbilical cord blood banks have grown over the recent decades. There are  currently more private umbilical cord blood banks than there are public umbilical cord blood banks as the existing public UCBs are facing  the issue of funding. Hybrid UCBs and Directdonation UCBs are more recent forms of UCB. All UCBs now require accreditations for   international acceptability.