What is ACOGs position on storing umbilical cord blood?
ACOG believes that there are many questions about this technology that remain unanswered. Parents should not be sold this service without a realistic assessment of their likely return on the investment. The odds of needing a stem cell transplant are low — estimated at between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 200,000 by age 18. Commercial cord blood banks should not represent the service they sell as “doing everything possible” to ensure the health of children, nor should parents be made to feel guilty if they are not eager or able to invest considerable sums in such a highly speculative venture.
