Cord Blood Testing

About Cord Blood Testing

Cord blood is the leftover blood in your baby’s umbilical cord and placenta right following birth. It is stored for the future, but there’s one crucial step, i.e., cord blood testing, before storing the blood. Think of this test as a quick safety check. It ensures the cord blood is healthy, safe, disease-free, and ready for use in the future, if ever required.

Importance of Cord Blood Testing

Private cord blood banking (a service that Cryoviva Singapore provides) is a way of storing cord blood (also known as stem cell preservation exclusively for your family’s use. This ensures that stem cells are available for future health needs.

These stored stem cells are used in treating over 80 conditions, including blood cancers, genetic and immune disorders. Scientists and doctors are also exploring these cells’ potential for treating conditions such as heart disease and Parkinson’s disease. This means stem cell preservation is showing wider promise in regenerative medicine (the process of replacing, engineering or regenerating humans). However, it is vital to test the cord blood before storing these stem cells.

In order to ensure optimum quality and safety of Cord Blood. Cord Blood is checked and tested various parameters such as collected Cord Blood volume, cell viability, Total Nucleated Cell Count (TNCC), Total live CD34+ cell count and sterility.

A sample of the new born mother’s blood is needed to test for infectious diseases that can be transmitted across the placenta to the baby. The mother’s blood is tested for various infections such as Hepatitis Type B and C viruses (HBV & HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus types I and II (HIV I and II), Human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV type I and II), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Syphilis.

These simple but important step of testing of both mother’s blood and the baby’s umbilical cord blood can help us to ensure that the cord blood is clinically safe to be applied for future stem cell treatment.

Here is the answer to your question, “Why is Cord Blood Testing Important?”

  • Examines baby’s blood group and Rh factor

Cord blood testing in Singapore tells the healthcare professional whether your baby’s blood type is A, B, AB, or O, and whether it is Rh positive or negative. And as you know, this information is crucial for your baby’s care and the mother’s treatment after birth.

  • Detects the chances of any possible immune reactions

Testing can trace any blood mismatches between the mother and baby (such as Rh incompatibility). This type mismatch is responsible for conditions such as newborn jaundice or anemia. Early detection helps doctors act swiftly.

  • Screens for infections or other health issues

Cord blood is taken to the lab for testing for signs of infection, oxygen levels, sugar levels, and jaundice (increased bilirubin). This helps monitor your baby’s health right after delivery.

  • Help understand that stem cells are safe for storage

If you plan to bank cord blood, then you can contact Cryoviva Singapore here; we guarantee proper testing to ensure the collected sample is clean, healthy, and suitable for long‑term stem cell preservation/storage. This way, you can rely on it for future cord blood/stem cell treatment with confidence.

  • Gives doctors vital information right after delivery

The test is simple, safe, and performed at the time of your baby’s birth. Results are available quickly, usually within a couple of hours, giving you peace of mind about your baby’s health.

Cord blood testing is done to determine the following in your baby’s blood:

  • Bilirubin level: Helps detect jaundice
  • Blood sugar level: Checks if your baby has low or high glucose
  • Blood type and Rh: Confirms the baby’s blood group and Rh factor
  • Complete blood count (CBC): Assess overall health and oxygen‑carrying capacity
  • Platelet count: Checks for bleeding risks
  • Blood culture: Detects any early infection
  • Blood gases (including oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels): See how well the baby is adapting after birth and measure breathing and oxygen.

Cord Blood Testing: Normal Results Mean

Normal cord blood test results mean all parameters are within the normal reference range:

It indicates:

  • Everything looks healthy, and your baby’s body is functioning as expected right after birth.
  • There are no issues such as infection, oxygen shortage, abnormal sugars, or blood group mismatches that could interfere with your baby’s health.
  • Peace of mind for parents, as your child is safe, stable, and adjusting well to life outside the womb.

Cord Blood Testing: What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal blood test reports can mean:

  • A low pH (less than 7.04 to 7.10) means too much acid in the baby’s blood and not getting sufficient oxygen during labour.
  • A positive blood culture indicates infection.
  • High blood sugar may happen if the mother has diabetes.
  • Increased bilirubin levels can indicate jaundice.

FAQ's

How is the test performed ?

Immediately after delivery, the Umbilical Cord is clamped and cut. A second clamp is positioned about 8 to 10 inches away, then the Cord Blood between the clamps is drawn into a special tube for testing.

What is the Cord Blood testing procedure ?

The collected Cord Blood sample is sent to the lab, where it is tested for parameters like Blood type, Blood Sugar/Glucose, Bilirubin, and signs of infection to check your baby’s health.

Is Cord Blood type the same as Blood type ?

Yes, the Cord Blood type matches your baby’s blood type and Rh factor (A Protein that can be found on the surface of Red Blood Cells). This helps guide their care and ensures compatibility if a transfusion is required.

How long does Cord Blood Testing take ?

Cryoviva Singapore provides the Cord Blood test results within about 2 hours after the Cord Blood sample reaches the designated lab.

Can a Blood test detect drug use ?

Yes, certain blood tests can determine the existence of drugs or substances in the bloodstream. However, this is not generally part of routine cord blood testing.