Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is collected from left out cord from placenta and contains Hematopoietic (blood) stem cells. It a source of precious primitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and progenitor cells that can reconstitute the hematopoietic system in patients with malignant and non-malignant disorders treated with myeloablative therapy. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) contains stem cells which have already successfully treated a variety of diseases, including leukaemia, lymphomas, hemoglobinopathies, immunodeficiency, and disorders of metabolism. Much ongoing research continues to find out potential treatment of additional diseases. UCB cells possess an enhanced capacity for progenitor cell proliferation and self- enewal in vitro. UCB is usually discarded, and it exists in almost limitless supply. The blood remaining in the delivered placenta is safely and easily collected and stored. Cord blood can be stored in private banks or public banks. Private cord blood banks save cord blood for use by the family only, at a cost. Public cord blood banks accept donations and the cord blood are then used for the general public and/or research. A review of the literature finds that public banking is the preferred recommendation over private unless there is a known family member with a disease that can currently be treated with cord blood. After more than on decade of clinical experience, it is currently accepted that UCB transplants, related and unrelated, are equivalent to or might compare favourably with bone marrow (BM) transplants, especially in children. Initial studies of long-term survival in children with both malignant and non- alignant hematologic disorders, who were transplanted with UCB from a sibling donor, demonstrated comparable or superior survival to children who received BM transplantation. This article discusses cord blood banking options for patients as well as the information for both healthcare providers and patients when dealing with umbilical cord blood banking and some important ethical issue related to cord blood banking.

Keywords: Umbilical Cord Blood; Cord Blood Banking; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Informed
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