Cord blood banking statistics 2024
Umbilical cord and placenta blood, often referred to as “cord blood,” is the blood that is collected from the umbilical and placental tissue at birth. Once stored in “banks,” its stem cells can be used to treat a wide variety of life-threatening blood and immune diseases, cancers and other severe disorders.
The number of cord blood donors and units of cord blood donated has increased exponentially since the founding of cord blood banks in 1991, and there are new models of cord blood banks that are increasing the availability and accessibility of these costly services.
By the end of 2021, the parents of 3% of the over 3.7 million children born in the U.S. that year chose to publicly or privately bank cord blood.8 The largest private cord blood bank in the world is the Cord Blood Registry, with over 1 million units of cord blood since its establishment.
The first public cord blood bank was established in 1991 at the New York Blood Center in New York City. The first private family cord bank in the U.S. was Cord Blood Registry, created in 1992.
Jump to insightAs of mid-2023, there were over 9 million potential donors on the cord blood registry in the U.S., with just under 268,000 units of donated cord blood on the registry.
Jump to insightSingapore had the highest percentage of banked cord blood per birth in 2021, with 30% of those who gave birth choosing to bank the cord blood.
Jump to insightCord blood has stem cells, which are used to treat and manage over 80 serious and fatal illnesses, such as specific forms of leukemia and other cancers, blood disorders like sickle cell anemia (for which it is among the only known cures), immune disorders and metabolic disorders.
Jump to insightFor private cord blood banks, fees include enrollment, cord blood collection and testing, as well as storage per year. Consumers can expect to incur up to $2,350 in initial fees and up to $175 in annual storage fees.
Jump to insightDonor statistics
The U.S. cord blood registry counts over 9 million potential donors, with nearly 268,000 units of donated cord blood on the registry.
In the last two decades, the number of marrow donors has increased tremendously in the U.S. — with more than 175% growth of registered donors since 2001. As the number of marrow donors increased, so has the amount of cord blood units registered — a figure that has skyrocketed by nearly 1,770% over the same time period.
Hispanic and Latino individuals represent the highest percentage of non-White donors in the U.S. at 23%.
Percentage of cord blood units by donor race and ethnicity (as of Sep. 2022)
| Race/ethnicity | % |
|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic/Latino) | 46% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 23% |
| Black or African American | 10% |
| Asian | 5% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | <1% |
| Multiple race | 13% |
Singapore had the highest percentage of banked cord blood per birth in 2021, with 30% of those who gave birth opting to bank cord blood. This high percentage of donations can potentially be attributed to baby bonuses that new parents in Singapore receive, as well as affordable community banking options that appeal to parents.
Countries with the highest percentage of births involving banked cord blood (2021)
| Number of births | Percentage of births with banked cord blood | |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 39,039 | 30% |
| Greece | 88,553 | 10% |
| Portugal | 87,020 | 10% |
| Puerto Rico | 21,400 | 9.5% |
| Romania | 188,755 | 7% |
| Taiwan | 181,000 | 7% |
| South Korea | 326,900 | 6.8% |
| Slovakia | 57,639 | 6% |
| Hungary | 89,807 | 5% |
| Serbia | 63,975 | 5% |
Types of cord blood banking
There are several types of cord blood banks. Both types offer the storage of cord blood, but some store umbilical cord tissue as well. While the numbers widely vary according to different sources, there are approximately 28 private, 23 public and three hybrid cord blood banks in operation in the U.S.
- Private: Cord blood banks collect and store cord blood for individual families. They are associated with administrative fees for collection and testing, as well as yearly storage. This ensures that donated cord blood is reserved for and available only to the specific family that provides it.
- Public: Public cord blood banks are federally or privately funded and are free to donate to. Donations from public banks are available to anyone in need. However, donors may lose access to their cord blood if another person is in need or if it is needed for research.
- Hybrid: Hybrid cord blood banks are a combination of aspects of public and private banks. One type of often-used hybrid model is the directed donor model. Families or individuals can donate cord blood that will go directly to another named family member who is already a match.
- Community banking: This is a new model of cord blood banking that was created in India and requires paid membership. In this model, people donate to the community pool of cord blood but have access to any and all other blood stored by that bank in the event of an emergency.
Cord blood benefits and uses
Cord blood has stem cells, which are used to treat and manage over 80 serious and fatal illnesses, such as certain types of leukemia and other cancers, blood disorders like sickle cell anemia, immune disorders and metabolic disorders.
Researchers are currently conducting clinical trials to use cord blood to treat neurological and brain disorders, autoimmune disorders, diabetes and related illnesses, orthopedic illnesses and other experimental treatments.
Cord blood treatments fall into two categories:
- Allogeneic, which comes from a matching donor, either through private, family donations or a non-related donor.
- Autologous, in which a person is treated with their own cells.
The vast majority of cord blood treatments involve allogeneic therapies.
Cord blood banking costs
For private cord blood banks, fees can vary based on the services that are provided. These fees include enrollment, cord blood collection and testing, as well as storage per year. Consumers can expect to incur up to $2,350 in initial fees and up to $175 in annual storage fees, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- It is completely free to donate cord blood to a public bank, and public banks in turn donate cord blood for free to those in need.
- Typically, health insurers often do not cover cord blood collection and banking unless it is medically necessary. This will be determined by the provided or can be found in the benefits section of a medical plan.
FAQ
What is cord blood?
Cord blood (also referred to as placenta blood) refers to the blood that is leftover in the placenta and umbilical cord after a person gives birth.
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are immature blood cells that can transform into many different types of mature cells that are found in the body.5 Because of their immaturity, stem cells also experience less infections and do not have to be a perfect match to be donated and used.
What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials are studies in which human patients are used as subjects for a new therapy that has not been standardized.3 These trials include many phases to ensure the safety and efficacy of the new treatment, as well as continued evaluations after the therapy is regulated and marketed to the public.
How long will banked cord blood last?
Medical experts have advised that cord blood can be stored for over 20 years.
References
- "Donation and Transplantation Statistics." Health Resources & Services Administration. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- Shearer, W.T. et. al. "Cord Blood Banking for Potential Future Transplantation." American Academy of Pediatrics. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- ”Diseases Treated.” Parents’ Guide to Cord Blood Foundation. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- "What is a community cord blood bank?” Parents’ Guide to Cord Blood Foundation. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- Waller-Wise, R. "Umbilical Cord Blood Banking." National Institute of Health. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- "Detailed Description of Donor Registry Data." Health Resources & Services Administration. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- Waller-Wise, R. ”Umbilical Cord Blood: Information for Childbirth Educators.” National Institute of Health. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- "Percentage of births banking cord blood | Cell Trials Data.” Cell Trials Data. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- "Percentage of births banking cord blood by country." Parents’ Guide to Cord Blood Foundation. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- Hildreth, C. "List of U.S. Cord Blood Banks - Public, Private, and Hybrid.” Bioinformant. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- "Cord Blood Editorial Background and Fact Sheet." Cord Blood Association. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- Hildreth, C. "When Did Banking Cord Blood and Tissue Banking Start?" Bioinformant. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
- "Cord Blood Registry." Parents’ Guide to Cord Blood Foundation. Evaluated Jan. 5, 2024. Link Here
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