FAQ

Umbilical cord blood, also referred to as “placental blood”, is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and the placenta following delivery and cord separation. It is considered an invaluable and rich source of stem cells, which are genetically unique. Until recently, it has been considered as medical waste and discarded together with the placenta and umbilical cord.

Yes, if this form of therapy is medically justifiable and the tissues are sufficiently matched between the donor and the recipient. There is a 25% probability that sibling tissue antigens are fully matched.

So far, more than 35 000 cord blood transplants have been performed both in children and adults. In numerous cases, cord blood was used for the benefit of the donor’s sibling. Over the last two years, studies have revealed that cord blood stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into another type of cell e.g. muscle or nerve cells. Stem cells’ regenerative properties are currently the topical issue dominating the field of regenerative medicine. Stem cells were recognized as an invaluable biological material. More and more, research studies are committed to understanding stem cells’ full potential which could be applied in future to treat conditions such as: Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cardiac and liver disorders, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries and strokes.

‘Graft versus host disease’ occurs when the transplanted lymphocytes (responsible for immunological reactions) from the donor function as previously programmed and recognize the recipient’s cells as enemy cells. The donor’s lymphocytes annihilate the recipient’s cells. The annihilation process affects virtually all of the recipient’s cell types. Short life cycle cells, such as epithelium and selected parenchymatous organs, are the cells most vulnerable to the attack. As a result, this condition is characterized by syndromes specific to epithelium damages (rashes, urticaria, dry patches of skin and epithelium desquamation e.g. of the digestive tract = diarrhoea). This condition is acute and resistant to treatment. The reactions are far less intense in case of cord blood transplants as the cord blood cells are immunologically “naïve”.

The first transplantation was performed in 1988. By 2011, over 25 000 transplants have been conducted and continue to be performed today. By the end of 1995, collection and storage facilities were more common, making the service more available. Nowadays, thousands of parents are beneficiaries of this unique opportunity.

Cord blood is harvested from the umbilical cord following the delivery and cord separation. The procedure is simple and painless, non-invasive and does not interfere with the course of the delivery.

Cord blood is drawn into a collection bag filled with preservative fluid (CPD), an anticoagulant. The CPD allows sufficient time for the blood to be delivered to the laboratory, where it can then be processed.

No. Cord blood is harvested only after the child’s delivery and cord separation. Collection takes approximately 5 minutes. It is painless, simple and safe both for the mother and child.

No. Upon signing the agreement, parents are sent a “collection kit” which contains all relevant components for their child’s cord blood collection. It is the parents’ responsibility to remember to bring the collection kit to the hospital at the time of delivery.

In the event of a caesarean section, the blood is collected directly after placenta expulsion. Medical studies indicate that the blood volumes drawn at vaginal or caesarean section delivery are comparable.

It is theoretically assumed that deeply frozen stem cells (-150 °C) can be stored for centuries. In practice, we base our knowledge on the findings made by Japanese scientists who tested stem cell viability frozen in 1973. These studies support the hypothesis that the defrosted cells have the potential to proliferate and to form colonies. Current findings substantiate the theory that cord blood stem cells preserved for 24 years still maintain their properties.

No, as it is not mandatory for routine procedures. Individual stem cell banking relies on the principle that the donor and the recipient is the same person. Naturally, in case the stem cells are intended for therapeutic use by siblings or other family members, it is required for the stem cells to be tested for tissue compatibility. To this end, a small vial is attached to each frozen container, which when the need arises, is retrieved and subjected to testing (for tissue compatibility).

Upon signing the agreement with the Polish Stem Cell Bank, we provide a unique identification number which marks all components of the collection kit and the documentation. This excludes any mistakes or erroneous swaps.

If the patient, whose stem cells are stored with PBKM S.A., is diagnosed with a condition and is eligible for stem cell treatment, it is essential to inform your doctor about the stem cell supply stored at our bank. The decision to apply them for therapeutic use is at the doctor’s discretion. Upon the decision to transplant the stem cells, the doctor in charge should get in touch with us to discuss the details of biological material procurement and provision of the necessary medical documentation. The parents should contact a member of staff from our Customer Service Department in order to request the relevant documentation, such as the certificate of stem cell deposit with PBKM S.A. Upon submitting the adequate documentation and determining the details of stem cell procurement with the doctor in charge, the material will be delivered to the designated centre/hospital for further use in therapy.

To ensure that the cord blood stem cells can be used for therapy treatment at any given moment. This dismisses the necessity to search for donors, which is a costly, time-consuming, risky and does not guarantee a positive outcome. Early treatment minimises the progress of the disease and boosts chances for complete recovery.

* The likelihood of using cord blood is estimated on the basis of the average life duration of 70 years.

The Polish Stem Cell Bank, due to a broad range of performed procedures and services and because of the need to adapt to the highest standards of quality, is following many legal regulations. The most important are given below:

Rozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia w sprawie wzoru dokumentu Prawo wykonywania zawodu diagnosty laboratoryjnego z 16.07.2004.pdf

Rozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia zmieniające rozporządzenie w sprawie standardów jakości dla medycznych laboratoriów diagnostycznych i mikrobiologicznych z 21.01.2009.pdf

Rozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia zmieniające rozporządzenie w sprawie wymagań, jakim powinno odpowiadać medyczne laboratorium diagnostyczne z 28.12.2009.pdf

Ustawa o działalności lecznicznej z 15.04.2011.pdf

Ustawa o ochronie danych osobowych z 29.08.1997 - zmiany od 01.01.2012.pdf

Ustawa o zmianie ustawy o diagnostyce laboratoryjnej oraz zmianie innych ustaw z 28.08.2003.pdf

Ustawa o zmianie ustawy o pobieraniu, przechowywaniu i przeszczepianiu komórek, tkanek i narządów oraz zmienie ustawy Przepisy wprowadzające Kodeks Karny z 17.07.2009.pdf

Ustawa o odpadach z dnia 27 kwietnia 2001 r. z późniejszymi zmianami.

Ustawa Prawo ochrony środowiska z dnia 27 kwietnia 2001 r. z późniejszymi zmianami