[The Dresden Cord Blood Bank. Experiences of the Cord Blood Bank in Dresden, promoted by the German bone Marrow Donor Registry].
BACKGROUND
Allogeneic bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is the treatment of choice for a number of malignant hematological diseases, marrow failure syndromes and severe congenital immunodeficiency states. As a new, valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells, cord blood has become increasingly attractive to the medical community. More than 1500 related and unrelated cord blood transplantations have already been performed worldwide. Cord blood can be a particularly good alternative source of stem cells for pediatric patients, if no HLA-identical donor can be found.


METHODS
In August 1997 the Cord Blood Bank at the University Hospital of Dresden initiated the collection, processing and cryopreservation of placental blood. This Cord Blood bank is promoted by the German bone marrow donor registry DKMS in Tübingen/Germany collaborating with 8 gynecological clinics in Dresden, Bautzen and Erlabrunn. Before cryopreservation, volume reduction of cord blood units is routinely performed by centrifugation and by separation of the buffy coat.


RESULTS
As of March 2000, more than 2200 cord blood units have been collected. 60% of the samples had to be discarded because of insufficient quality (low volume and/or cell count, bacterial contamination, positive infectious disease markers). However, more than 800 cord blood units met all quality control criteria and were cryopreserved.


CONCLUSIONS
These data from the Cord Blood Bank at the University Hospital of Dresden are comparable with results from other cord blood banks. Efforts directed toward the cryopreservation and banking of increased numbers of cord blood units are being continued worldwide and should be supported by the general public.
Ordemann
R
R
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikums Carl Gustav Carus Dresden.
Petzold
K
K
Hölig
K
K
Schaffer
B
B
Freude
M
M
Mauersberger
S
S
Ehninger
G
G
D001771:Blood Banks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001793:Blood Preservation; D001853:Bone Marrow; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005858:Germany; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010920:Placenta; D011247:Pregnancy; D012042:Registries; D014019:Tissue Donors