THE FINNISH CORD BLOOD BANK

Cord blood (CB) is blood that remains in the placenta after childbirth. Normally, the placenta with remaining blood is discarded. However, cord blood is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells.

Cord blood stem cell transplants can be used for treating severe, often hematological, disorders such as leukemias, similarly to bone marrow transplantation. Cord blood transplants have been mainly used for pediatric patients. However, even a small number of stem cells can reconstitute hematopoiesis, and approximately 25% of CB transplants are now given for adult patients.

In the Finnish CBB, cord blood is collected in the main obstetric clinic of the Helsinki University Hospital. CB is collected within a few minutes after the birth of the placenta, without interfering with childbirth or disturbing the mother or the newborn. The collected blood is divided into three components; red blood cell, buffy coat, and plasma fractions. The buffy coat fraction contains most of the lymphocytes along with other blood cells, and it is this fraction that constitutes the stem cell transplant (CB unit) and is cryopreserved.

Safety of the donated cord blood is ensured by laboratory tests and medical interview. The CB unit and maternal blood sample are tested for infectious agents. The tissue type, blood group, and blood cell count of the unit are determined. Various samples of each unit are archived for future testing.

A written informed consent of the donor mother is required for banking the donated cord blood. All information concerning the CB unit, including donor family medical history, as well as laboratory results and processing details, is kept confidential. If all the data conforms with medical requirements and international Netcord/FACT standards, the CB unit is released to international transplant search registries and is thus available for patients around the world.

The Finnish Cord Blood Bank was one of the first tissue establishments in Finland to be licensed by the National Agency of medicines on Feb 1st, 2008 (License nr. 4197/4.2.5.3/2007).

 Information for cord blood donor

 Finnish Cord Blood Bank Master request form.doc

  

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