Obstetrical and neonatal factors associated with optimal public banking of umbilical cord blood in the context of delayed cord clamping.

PURPOSE: To assess the association of specific newborn and maternal factors with indicators of increased blood-forming capacity in umbilical cord blood to inform strategic collection strategies that could augment the quality of units in public cord blood banks.

METHODS

Data regarding 268 consecutive cord blood units (CBUs) banked by Canadian Blood Services were analyzed. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with markers of hematopoietic potency and likelihood of utilization.

RESULTS

Delayed clamping of the cord beyond 60 s was associated with reduced volume collected. Any delay in clamping of the cord was associated with reduced total nucleated cell counts. Newborn weight >4,000 g was also associated with greater blood volume in the collection but not with other measures of hematopoietic potency. Cord blood acidosis at birth (pH.